Anniston, AL – Faith Christian’s boys and Pleasant Valley’s girls, get their fair share of a doubleheader in advance of the next week’s crucial regional games.

Conner Richerzhagen from Faith Christian is seen making his way during a quick break to beat Pleasant Valley on Friday. (Photo taken by Joe Medley)

The Friday’s scoreboard

BOYS

Alexandria 56, White Plains 51, OT

Faith Christian 63, Pleasant Valley 43

Weaver 71, Saks 49

Piedmont 67, Cedar Bluff 27

Southside 70 Lincoln 55

Glencoe Olhatchee 26, Ohatchee 26

Handley 51 Central-Clay 42, Handley 51

GIRLS

Pleasant Valley 42, Faith Christian 40

Alexandria 58. White Plains 45

Cedar Bluff 54, Piedmont 47

Southside at 89. Lincoln 26. Lincoln 26

Glencoe 55. Ohatchee 28

Handley 44 Central-Clay 34

By Joe Medley

Faith Christian as well as Pleasant Valley have big weeks coming up next week, and both teams played against Faith on Friday, looking for something to bring into those crucial games.

Faith received a little bit special.

“We were in it trying to retaliate, because we were beaten,” Faith’s Carson Harris stated. “We believe we’re a superior team and we proved that this evening.”

Harris was the only player to lead the way with three Lions who scored double figures with 12 points. They defeated the Raiders by 63-43 in a replay of their November. 29 game against Pleasant Valley.

The Raiders defeated the team in the first game with a score of 59-55. Faith’s progress since the beginning of the season was evident and earned Faith an even split in the doubleheader between boys and girls. Pleasant Valley’s girls took 42-40 to erase an earlier loss, 48-43, on November. 28.

Faith’s boys’ win comes on top of a solid performance in the Heflin Holiday Hoops Classic. The Lions were 2-1 in Heflin but lost their only game in overtime against Central-Clay, the eventual champion.

Faith was defeated by Westbrook Christian in a game on Thursday, but recovered on Friday.

“Great things,” Faith coach Cory Hughes said. “I am awestruck by the way we played. I am awestruck by our efforts. I am awed by the care we’re paying to the game.

“All except for that six-minute stretch during the 3rd quarter ended up being A+.”


Pleasant Valley’s Braxton Salster takes a shot during Fath Christian’s Eli Robinson defends Friday at Faith. (Photo from Joe Medley)

Faith had led 41-21 at halftime. However, they were unnoticed for during the first three minutes in the 3rd quarter. Pleasant Valley was able to close just 41-26, but they couldn’t get close enough.

In addition to Harris, Faith got 11 points from Parker Robertson, 10 from Colton Reese, nine from Eli Robinson and eight from Conner RIcherzhagen.

Pleasant Valley, coming off of its first victory ever over Cedar Bluff on Thursday, had 10 points each of Braxton Salster, Jaden Sparks, and nine points on three 3-pointers by Noah Johnson.

“I think both teams worked equally hard, it’s only that they missed the shots they did,” Pleasant Valley coach Brad Hood said. “That’s the reason why we have more seniors in the floor, versus two sophomores and freshmen the majority often.

“It was a very good game that helped us prepare for the next game. Just like I said to them that if we’re willing to fight the other team for four minutes, it will help us get better prepared for coming week.”

Pleasant Valley plays Class 2A and area 9 game against Woodland on Tuesday, and at Ranburne on December. 12.

Faith is in class 1A. Area 8 matches at Donoho the next day, Wadley playing at home, on Tuesday, and at Winterboro on Thursday. Then, she will open on the Calhoun County event with a game against Jacksonville Christian on Saturday.

“I’m grateful that we have lots of momentum going forward,” Hughes said. “We are in need of it now.”


Pleasant Valley’s Alexa Cranmer scores 2 of 20 point in a game against Faith Christian on Friday. (Photo taken by Joe Medley)

Girls

Pleasant Valley 42, FAITH CHRISTIAN 40Laney Robinson made an extra free shot at 1:06 remaining, and Sarah Freeman hit one of two free throws at 45.5 seconds to break the tie at 40-40.

Pleasant Valley held on for three Faith possessions in the final stretch. Anna Kate Robertson hit back iron with a three just before the buzzer.

“It could not have come to that,” Pleasant Valley coach Blake Muncher said. “We were in the lead 10-12 all the way through the game.

“It’s an unproven team and what about fourth quarters? We’ve played almost every game but three games throughout the season. We’ve also lost many games with three and four points due to this same issue. We press when players are pressing and the internal clock is running in their heads and then we panic. As a team that is still young We’ve to figure out how to manage our emotions during those times.”

Alexa Cranmer was the star of Pleasant Valley with 20 points with three steals and three blocks. Robinson scored seven points five steals as well as four block.

Robertson scored a game-high 24 points and Kayson Cronan scored eight.

“At the conclusion of the day, we needed to be in a position where we were prepared to play during the 4th quarter” Faith’s coach, LaRay Williams explained. “I believe that my girls achieved this.

“We had a lot of opportunities in the close. We fell short, but we just didn’t get them.”