Tigers roll past Oxford
- Updated: January 31, 2015
Boys roundup: Talladega wins 20th straight; White Plains, Ohatchee win
By Brant Locklier
For East Alabama Sports Today
OXFORD – High-flying Talladega came in with a 26-2 record and 19-game winning streak, but the third-ranked Tigers had to fight off tough challenges from Oxford before winning 62-46.
Only three wins in the streak have been by fewer than 10 points and coach Chucky Miller had to admit his Tigers “have been on a roll,” but the Yellow Jackets gave them all they could handle.
Oxford led after the first quarter and outscored the Tigers in the third. After Talladega took the lead, the Jackets got within five early in the fourth quarter, but then the Tigers then scored eight straight points to pull away and take the winning streak to 20.
D’Angelo Scales had 17 to lead the Tigers. Desmond Green had three tomahawk dunks as part of his 12 points and Josh Madden came in with 14 points and eight assists.
“I have been with these guys for four years and they play so hard every night and just give it their all,” Miller said.
Oxford’s tough schedule primed it for playing the Tigers. Sophomore Querriun Mason was unstoppable for the Yellow Jackets and had his best night ever with 27 points and six rebounds. He scored all seven of Oxford’s points in the second quarter.
In all, the Jackets have played 14 games against ranked opponents and only three of them have been at home.
“The biggest surprise I have had this year was how good our schedule really was,” Oxford coach Joel Van Meter said. “When I made it out I did not think it would be that tough. If you look at the rankings we have played four of the top 7A teams. Talladega twice, Albertville three times, Homewood, White Plains, Sacred Heart and Carrollton (Ga.) twice.”
Van Meter realizes playing games against teams like that is all about getting ready for the playoffs. The Yellow Jackets won a special coin toss to determine the top seed and will host the Chelsea-Pell City winner for the area championship next week knowing they’re already on to the next round.
”We are ready, I think,” Van Meter said. “Hosting the area next week will be a new experience and none have ever experienced playing in a championship game. We just hope that all the tournaments we have played in and all the tough situations we have been in and the type teams we have played will help.”
Cover photo: Talladega coach Chucky Miller gives his team some last-minute instruction before sending it out to play Oxford Friday night. (Photo by Trey Miller).
White Plains 69, Faith Christian 38
WHITE PLAINS – Nathan Gilbert might have been held it check for one night, but he wasn’t going to let it happen two games in a row.
The senior post scored 16 points and Michael McGuirk had 17 as the seventh-ranked Wildcats (21-7) closed out their regular season schedule with a big win.
Gilbert, held to one point Thursday against No. 2 Cherokee County, and McGuirk combined for 22 points in the first half as the Wildcats roared to a 39-20 halftime lead. McGuirk had two of his three 3-pointers in the second quarter.
Ohatchee 66, Jacksonville Christian 57
OHATCHEE – Tristan Woodall hit three 3-pointers in the first half and led three Ohatchee scorers in double figures with 16 points.
The Indians hit eight 3-pointers as a team. Ben Glass had three to score 14 points. Micah Lee had 13 points.
BOYS BOX SCORES
White Plains 68, Faith Christian 38
FAITH CHRISTIAN — Ryan Crosby 1 0-0 3, Jordan Griswold 3 5-9 11, Jameson Adams 0 0-2 0, Logan Williamson 4 2-2 13, Caleb McCord 1 2-2 4, Jack Sills 0 0-0 0, Michael Kulick 0 0-0 0, Josiah McDaniel 1 4-8 7, Alex Taylor 0 0-0 0, Grant Martin 0 0-0 0. Totals 10 13-23 38.
WHITE PLAINS (21-7) — Jerod Guthrie 3 2-2 8, Dillon Greenwood 0 0-0 0, Kolby Burgess 3 0-2 7, Kevin Carr 1 0-0 2, Eli Hightower 1 0-0 2, Michael McGuirk 6 2-2 17, Jackson Guthrie 0 0-0 0, Quez Wyatt 0 0-0 0, Lawrence Jackson 4 1-3 9, Nathan Gilbert 7 2-2 16, Murphy Doss 4 0-0 8, Calvin Thornburg 0 0-0 0, Brett Beaver 0 0-0 0. Totals 29 7-11 69.
Faith Christian 10 10 7 11 — 38
White Plains 20 19 27 3 — 69
3-point goals: Faith 5 (Crosby, Williamson 3, McDaniel); White Plains 4 (Burgess, McGuirk 3). Total fouls: Faith 9, White Plains 20. Technical fouls: White Plains bench. Officials: Miller, Crawford, Maske.
Talladega 62, Oxford 46
TALLADEGA (27-2) — Marius Echols 0 2-2 2, D’Angelo Scales 7 1-3 17, Jay Smoot 2 0-0 4, Desmond Green 5 1-1 12, Josh Madden 5 4-4 14, Ohyja Garrett 1 0-0 2, Josh Wilson 2 0-0 4, Robert Houston 1 0-0 2, Khalil Keith 2 1-2 5. Totals 25 9-12 62.
OXFORD (9-15) — Kaleb Kidd 1 0-0 2, Jalen Moore 1 0-0 2, Querriun Mason 10 7-9 27, Jakolbie McClendon 2 2-2 6, Jacob Baker 1 0-0 3, Torry Robertson 0 0-0 0, Daunte Lauderdale 1 0-2 2, Chris Jarman 2 0-0 4, Solomon Shadrix 0 0-0 0, Zachary Lackey 0 0-0 0. Totals 18 9-13 46.
Talladega 10 20 15 17 — 62
Oxford 13 7 18 8 — 46
3-point goals: Talladega 3 (Scales 2, Green); Oxford 1 (Baker). Total fouls: Talladega 11, Oxford 12. Officials: Burroughs, Calkins, Batey.
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