Ohatchee boys end drought
- Updated: January 18, 2016
Indians top JCA 59-42, win first County Tournament game in nine years
Ohatchee’s Tristan Woodall (center) tries to maintain control of the ball while being surrounded by JCA defenders Monday. On the cover, Micah Lee keeps an eye on the ball in a crowd. (Photos by Carrie Howell)
By Jason Katz
For East Alabama Sports Today
JACKSONVILLE – Ohatchee had not won a game in the Calhoun County Tournament in nine years, but the Indians got that elusive victory Monday when they beat Jacksonville Christian 59-42.
“This tournament is always so special to everyone in the county including us,” Indians coach Bryant Ginn said. “It has been nine years since we last won here and it’s so nice getting our feet wet and picking up that first win.”
Early on, there was heated competition as JCA’s Walker Messer and Ohatchee’s Austin Tucker battled back and forth to give each team an edge — if only for a brief second.
Ohatchee went on a 12-2 run at the end of the first quarter and from there the Indians built a solid and expanding lead that JCA could not comeback from.
“We started off a little nervous and missed a few layups,” said Ginn. “Then we got set and started to move the ball well and build a lead in the second half.”
It was all Ohatchee in the second half as the Indians started to play more relaxed. Brian Jennings had seven points in the third with four rebounds and finished with 14. Micah Lee had 11 points in the game, while Tucker finished with seven.
All 11 players for the Indians scored in the game.
“We could have put up a hundred points,” said Tucker. “We did not make enough of our layups and could have played a little bit better.”
The excitement of playing at Pete Mathews Coliseum was high on Tucker’s mind though as the bright lights and big stage allowed him to have maybe just a little bit more fun today.
“This is so much fun for me,” he said. “This stage and getting to play in this arena make it so much better.”
Walker Messer, Reed Murphy and Antwon Fegans scored 12 points each for JCA. Murphy had nine rebounds.
Ohatchee moves on to face Weaver, a team it beat earlier this year. The game is Tuesday at 6.
“I’ve watched Weaver three or four times this year and they have improved tremendously,” said Ginn. “We have to play better defense and protect the ball because they are a quick team.”
Ohatchee 59, Jacksonville Christian 42
JCA – Jimbo Tolbert 0 0-0 0, Janyi Mosley 4 0-0 8, Elijah McCormack 0 1-2 1, Walker Messer 3 6-8 12, Jayden Mitchell 0 0-0 0, Antwon Fegans 5 1-1 12, Reed Murphy 3 3-6 12. Totals 15 11-17 42.
OHATCHEE — Ben Glass 1 1-2 3, Kevin Williamson 3 0-0 6, Micah Lee 4 2-5 11, Jon Noel 2 1-2 5, Bryant Dunnaway 1 1-2 3, Brennan Wink 1 0-0 2, Austin Tucker 2 3-3 7, Blaine Cole 1 0-0 2, Brian Jennings 5 3-4 14, Tristan Woodall 2 1-2 5, Sean Barnett 1 0-0 2. Totals 23 12-20 59.
JCA 8 14 6 14 — 42
Ohatchee 18 17 20 4 — 59
3-point goals: JCA 1 (Fegans); Ohatchee 1 (Lee). Fouled out: Mitchell. Total fouls: JCA 20, Ohatchee 17. Officials: Glover, Collins, Coleman.
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