Indians on the move
- Updated: December 29, 2015
Ohatchee advances to Glencoe championship game behind Woodall and Tucker; plays Alexandria for title
By Jason Katz
For East Alabama Sports Today
GLENCOE — Bryant Ginn screamed something simple yet profound at his team Tuesday.
“Ball moves, we move!”
The ball moved often for Ohatchee, and so are the Indians.
This simple phrase described his Indians’ performance to a tee as they beat Boaz 54-36 in the Glencoe Holiday Shootout to earn a shot at Alexandria for the tournament title Wednesday at 7:30.
“It is exciting for our team to play on this stage,” said Ginn. “It’s a testament to all the hard work we put in every day.
“We talk about having a tale of two seasons. First half is before Christmas, while the second half starts right now. We have to be jelling well to be a good team and we did that well last year. This year it feels much the same.”
Just like Monday’s game against Cedar Bluff the Indians (8-7) started off slow, but picked up the pace as the game went along. This time, play by Austin Tucker and Tristan Woodall sparked them to a victory.
“Were a slow starting team for some reason but, we are getting out of it,” Ginn said. “We have one or two players that once they get going can pick us up and allow us to settle in pretty well.”
Coming off a 26-point game the day before, junior Austin Tucker led the Indians’ to a 26-22 halftime lead with nine points and three rebounds. His defensive play was challenged though as he battled Boaz’s Trey Clark, who hit five 3-pointers and finished with 16 points.
“I think everybody on this team is a spark,” said Tucker. ‘We have to wake up sometimes and make big plays to get going, and every time we do … it’s a team effort.”
Tristan Woodall was the second catalyst as he started the second half with a personal 7-0 run to put the game out of reach for the Pirates. He finished with 10 points and five rebounds.
Ben Glass had eight points and two rebounds in the second half for the Indians, while Brian Jennings had six points and eight rebounds.
“I think the run to start the second half was a huge momentum booster for this team,” said Woodall, packing ice bags on both knees. “This team needs that spark sometimes and I was glad I could give them one today.”
Woodall is looking forward to a promising future, as a cross-country scholarship and physical therapy degree await him at Jacksonville State.
“My knees are always giving me trouble so I think a future in physical therapy is a good plan to have,” he said.
Ohatchee 54, Boaz 36
BOAZ – Brody Segler 1 0-0 3, Trey Knott 2 0-0 4, Jacob Smith 0 0-0 0, Reagin Langley 2 1-2 5, Luke Strawn 0 1-2 1, Cameron Copeland 0 0-0 0, Payton Childers 1 1-4 3, Trey Clark 5 1-1 16, Evan Jones 1 2-5 4. Totals 12 6-14 36.
OHATCHEE (8-7) — Ben Glass 3 0-0 8, Kevin Williamson 0 0-0 0, Jon Noel 2 0-0 5, Bryant Dunaway 2 0-0 4, Brennan Wink 1 0-0 2, Austin Tucker 4 3-3 12, Blaine Cole 1 0-0 2, Brian Jennings 3 0-0 6, Tristan Woodall 4 0-0 10, Sean Barnett 2 1-2 5. Totals 22 4-5 54.
Boaz 9 13 7 7 — 36
Ohatchee 11 15 12 16 — 54
3-point goals: Boaz 6 (Segler, Clark 5); Ohatchee 6 (Glass 2, Noel, Tucker, Woodall 2). Total fouls: Boaz 10, Ohatchee 15. Officials: Caldwell, Woods, Hunter.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login