Cubs ease into finals
- Updated: December 30, 2016
Alexandria uses a big run early in the game to take control, will play Boaz for Glencoe Shootout boys title
By Al Muskewitz
East Alabama Sports Today
GLENCOE – Ever since it lost in the semifinals of the Champions Sports Academy Christmas Classic, the Alexandria basketball team has been trying to figure out how quickly it could put itself back into a championship final.
The Valley Cubs didn’t have to wait long. They easily punched their ticket into the finals of the Glencoe Holiday Shootout Thursday, routing Sardis 71-41. The Cubs will play Boaz tonight at 7:30 p.m. for the title.
Boaz earned its place in the finals by beating host Glencoe 69-64 in double overtime.
“I think the kids were probably little disappointed last week about not getting into the finals when they lost to Centre,” Alexandria coach Jason Johnson said. “So, I think that was kind of their goal going into this week — let’s see if we can play in a championship game in a tournament just to get used to the tournament atmosphere.
“I’m proud of the kids for that. They got after it pretty good tonight defensively and it created themselves some good easy offensive points.”
It sure looked smooth. The Valley Cubs broke away from a tight game in the early going with a 24-2 run that decided the issue. Inside the run were 19 straight points before the Lions finally scored with 3:09 left in the first half.
Chase Smitherman scored the first eight points of the second quarter himself, mostly on layups created from turnovers, and finished with a game-high 18.
They shot 23 of 44 from the field and continued their hot streak at the free throw line. They were 21 for 26 from the line Thursday, 13 of 14 in the first half.
“We just executed; we just did what we were coached to do,” Smitherman said. “I didn’t know it was (19-0). I knew we were playing good defense and that usually turns into points for us.”
Smithman averaged 11.5 points a game for the Valley Cubs in the seven games junior Dalton Dodd was sidelined with his high ankle sprain, including a couple 15-point nights early in the stretch. But his production hasn’t slowed much since Dodd returned earlier in the week.
“We stress that seniors are supposed to step up and produce, so he’s doing a better job,” Johnson said. “And we’re doing a better job of getting him the ball.
Glencoe Holiday Shoot-Out
Boys Semifinals
Alexandria 71, Sardis 41
SARDIS – Michael Cabrera 1 0-0 3, Jeffrey Roberson 1 1-2 3, Nathan Hilburn 0 0-0 0, Patrick Bright 3 0-0 7, Logan Gaskin 2 0-0 4, John Holland 5 0-1 13, Michael Cook 4 2-8 11. Totals 16 3-11 41.
ALEXANDRIA – Devan Grant 1 4-4 7, Chase Smitherman 8 2-2 18, Austin Taylor 0 0-0 0, Jake Weathington 4 0-2 11, Dru Davis 0 5-6 5, Jayden Cunningham 0 0-0 0, Dalton Dodd 2 7-7 11, Romeo Dye 2 3-3 7, Thorne Thornton 0 0-0 0, Jamal Tucker 4 0-0 8, Landon Williams 2 0-2 4. Totals 23 21-26 71.
Sardis 8 10 15 8 — 41
Alexandria 14 22 14 21 — 71
3-point goals: Sardis 6 (Cabrera, Bright, Holland 3, Cook); Alexandria 4 (Grant, Weathington 3). Technical fouls: Smitherman, Bright. Fouled out: Roberson. Total fouls: Sardis 20, Alexandria 18. Officials: Douthit, Montgomery, Morris.
Boaz 69, Glencoe 64 (2 OTs)
BOAZ – Brady Segler 0 0-0 0, Brian Montgomery 5 0-0 15, Jacob Smith 3 3-4 11, Tyler Ray 5 0-0 10, Luke Strawn 2 1-2 7, Ty Kirkland 7 7-9 22, Eduardo Veraquez 1 2-4 4
Cade Pierce 0 0-2 0. Totals 23 13-21 69.
GLENCOE – Aaron Bush 3 3-4 11, Dylan Billingsley 1 4-4 6, Noah Huff 0 0-0 0, Justin Barkley 5 0-0 15, Cole Holbrooks 7 7-8 21, Micah Sizemore 0 5-8 5, Jared Amberson 1 2-4 4, Paul Hicks 1 0-0 2. Totals 18 21-28 64.
Boaz 16 10 11 14 7 11 — 69
Glencoe 15 15 8 13 7 6 — 64
3-point goals: Boaz 10 (Montgomery 5, Smith 2, Strawn 2, Kirkland); Glencoe 7 (Bush 2, Barkley 5). Fouled out: Ray. Total fouls: Boaz 20, Glencoe 19. Officials: Woods, Warren, Robinson.
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