Weaver runs past Ohatchee
- Updated: January 19, 2016
Unheralded players rise to the occasion and lead the Bearcats into the County Tournament quarterfinals
Weaver’s Maurice Goodman (21) is approached by Ohatchee’s Ben Glass (4) in the post-game handshake after Tuesday night’s game. Goodman played a big role in the Bearcats’ victory. (Photo by Carrie Howell)
By Al Muskewitz
East Alabama Sports Today
JACKSONVILLE – You better believe Weaver coach Daryl Hamby was worried when Malik Arnold picked up two fouls in the first 48 seconds of Tuesday night’s Calhoun County Tournament game with Ohatchee.
Sitting next to the coach on the bench before he even worked up a modest sweat was a potential 20-point scorer and post player capable of dominating the game. How, Hamby wondered, were the Bearcats ever going to stay in the game?
The answer came from several players who don’t get a lot of the limelight. But the reserves and overlooked starters rose to the occasion and carried the Bearcats to a 69-38 victory over a potentially dangerous opponent.
“Heck yeah I was worried,” Hamby said. “Usually, we have been a team when Malik’s on the bench, we don’t produce. But the bench play and our defense made things happen and we got a lot of points off of that, so I was really happy with the way they played. Malik’s probably averaging 19 points a game for us, so, yeah, real worried.”
The unsungs produced 24 points in the first quarter and 42 in the first half. Ten players scored. Maurice Goodman got the Bearcats off to a good start with two 3-pointers and eight of his nine points.
“One big player who came in was Maurice Goodman,” Hamby said. “He played smart. When he sets his feet, not in the panic mode, he plays very well. He’s very good athletically, anticipates well. When we get that Maurice, we love him. If we don’t get that Maurice, coach Hamby yells a lot.”
The junior says his coach is right about that.
“Usually if I do bad he’s going to yell at me and I sit on the bench, but when I do good I get a lot of playing time, and that’s great,” he said. “When I went in I wanted to do as good as I can.”
Goodman’s first 3-pointer broke an 11-11 tie and after the Indians drew within 17-15 he hit two free throws and his second 3-pointer to turn back the threat.
“I just wanted to pass and move the ball around, because that’s how we get our points – in the post,” Goodman said. “When they passed me the ball I just shot it and it went in.”
After opening their 18-point lead, the Bearcats held the Indians to 14 points in the second half.
Weaver’s Delo Forbes led all scorers with 16 points. Craig Copeland had nine points and Arnold got back into the game and finished with eight.
Ben Glass had 12 for Ohatchee, but was held scoreless in the second half.
The win advanced seventh-seeded Weaver to Thursday’s 7 p.m. quarterfinal against second-seeded Anniston.
Weaver 69, Ohatchee 38
OHATCHEE – Ben Glass 3 4-6 12, Kevin Williamson 1 0-0 2, Micah Lee 2 1-1 5, Bryant Dunaway 2 1-3 5, Austin Tucker 0 1-4 1, Brian Jennings 1 4-4 6, Tristan Woodall 0 2-2 2, Sean Barnett 2 1-1 5. Totals 11 14-21 38.
WEAVER – Delo Forbes 7 0-0 16, Craig Copeland 4 0-0 9, Paul Hubbard 1 0-0 2, Dalton Hamby 2 3-3 7, R.J. Wooden 0 2-5 2, Maurice Goodman 2 3-4 9, Dane Akers 1 0-0 3, Gio Mosley 1 2-2 4, Malik Arnold 4 0-4 8, Ducky Morris 1 0-0 2, Justin Chapman 1 0-0 3, London Knight 2 0-0 4. Totals 26 10-18 69.
Ohatchee 15 9 6 8 — 38
Weaver 24 18 20 7 — 69
3-point goals: Ohatchee 2 (Glass 2); Weaver 7 (Forbes 2, Copeland, Goodman 2, Akers, Chapman). Total fouls: Ohatchee 14, Weaver 22. Officials: Bugg, Williams, Madaris.
Ohatchee’s Austin Tucker soars through the air towards the basket in Tuesday night’s Calhoun County Tournament game with Weaver. (Photo by Carrie Howell)
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