Big step forward

Anniston holds off Saks down the stretch for shot at area title; Glencoe girls, Weaver, Talladega boys take titles, Alexandria advances

Thursday’s Games
1A-10 Boys at Miller Gym: Sacred Heart 104, JCA 48
6A-13 Boys Championship at Oxford: Oxford 61, Southside 49
5A-13 Boys at Etowah: Alexandria 42, Boaz 24
4A-8 Boys at Handley: Anniston 53, Saks 49
3A-9 Boys Championship at Weaver: Weaver 72, Ohatchee 53
3A-10 Girls Championship at Glencoe: Glencoe 71, Piedmont 50
5A-10 Boys Championship game at Clay Central: Talladega 66, Clay Central 55
1A-10 Boys at Miller Gym: Spring Garden 87, Donoho 53
5A-13 Boys at Etowah: Etowah 72, Douglas 51
4A-8 Boys at Handley: Handley 58, Munford 32

Friday’s Games
5A-13 Girls: Championship game at Alexandria: Alexandria vs. Boaz, 6 p.m.
4A-8 Girls: Championship game at Anniston: Anniston vs. Handley, 6 p.m.
4A-12 Girls: Championship game at Hokes Bluff: Jacksonville vs. Hokes Bluff, 6 p.m.
3A-9 Girls Championship at Wellborn: Weaver vs. Wellborn, 6 p.m.
3A-10 Boys Championship at Piedmont: Glencoe vs. Piedmont, 7 p.m.
1A-10 Girls: Championship game at Spring Garden, 7 p.m.

Bulldogs take big step

By East Alabama Sports Today

HANDLEY – The Anniston Bulldogs took another step in their development under second-year coach Torry Brown Thursday night and it was a big one.

The Bulldogs held off county rival Saks down the stretch and pulled out a 53-49 win in the 2/3 games of the Class 4A Area 8 boys tournament to qualify for the state tournament.

They’ll play either Madison Academy or Westminster Christian in their subregion game next week, but not before they take on Handley Saturday for the area title.

“We needed to play for an area championship this year,” Brown said. “It’s another step in terms of where we want to go as we move forward … This is a huge momentum builder in terms of the mental state of the kids. It was good after having an up and down season to have a chance to play for a championship.”

It wasn’t easy. The Bulldogs (12-13) were up six with 40 seconds to play, but they found themselves in a fight for the rest of their season.

Zay Elston, who hadn’t made a basket all game, hit a 3-pointer off an offensive rebounds to cut Anniston’s lead in half. The Wildcats hit a free throw to move another point closer and had a layup in the final 10 seconds to tie it, but the ball rolled around the rim and fell off.

Kwame Milton was fouled on the rebound with one second left and hit two free throws for the final margin.

Milton was Anniston’s leading scorer with 13 points off the bench. William Fairley had 10 and Theron Montgomery gave the Bulldogs a presence in the middle with Dontavious Davis in foul trouble.

Saks’ Darien Briskey led all scorers with 27 points. He hit five 3-pointers in the first quarter and scored 19 points in the first half.

CLASS 4A AREA 8 BOYS

Anniston 53, Saks 49
ANNISTON (12-13) – Savion Bethune 2 3-5 9, James Haynes 2 3-7 4, Jimmy Felton 1 0-1 2, Kwame Milton 4 3-5 13, William Fairley 4 0-0 10, Dantavious Davis 3 0-2 6, Theron Montgomery 3 0-3 6, Roderick Orr 0 0-0 0. Totals 19 9-23 53.

SAKS – Darien Briskey 7 8-14 27, DeVaunghn Beason 2 4-6 10, Laderrick Bell 1 0-0 2, Zay Elston 1 0-0 3, Daveon Dukes 0 0-0 0, Marreo Thomas 0 0-0 0, Jaylen Young 0 3-4 3, Tyler Smith 2 0-2 4. Totals 13 15-26 49.

Anniston 13 12 18 10 — 53
Saks 16 9 13 11 — 49

3-point goals: Anniston 6 (Bethune 2, Milton 2, Fairley 2); Saks 8 (Briskey 5, Beason 2, Elston). Fouled out: Dukes, Davis. Total fouls: Anniston 19, Saks 20. Officials: Kelley, Coley, Pratt.

CLASS 5A AREA 13 BOYS

Alexandria 42, Boaz 24: When one part of your game isn’t working, you’d better have a fallback position. The Valley Cubs’ shot wasn’t falling, especially early, but they made up for it with some tight defense that held the Pirates to eight points in the second half.

The Valley Cubs will play Etowah for the area tournament title Saturday at 7 p.m. The winner hosts Clay Central, while the loser visits Area 10 champion Talladega in its subregional game.

Landan Williams led Alexandria with 12 points. Jake Weathington was the Cubs only other scorer in double figures (10 points).

Alexandria 42, Boaz 24
BOAZ – Brian Montgomery 1 0-0 2m Adan Ramirez 1 0-0 3, Tyler Ray 3 1-2 9, Carson Gillespie 0 0-0 0, Anderson Childers 1 0-0 2, Jacob Smith 1 1-2 3, Nicholas Williams 0 0-0 0, Lucas Smith 1 0-0 3, Jesus Vazquez 1 0-0 2. Totals 9 2-4 24

ALEXANDRIA – Joe Tucker 2 2-4 6, Adam Young 0 0-0 0, Jake Weathington 3 3-4 10, Dru Davis 0 0-0 0, Grayson Chaffin 0 0-0 0, Dalton Dodd 3 1-5 8, Dye 1 0-0 2, Francis 0 2-2 2, Jalen Borders 1 0-0 2, Josh Tucker 0 0-0 0, Landan Williams 5 2-2 12. Totals 15 10-17 42.

Boaz 5 11 4 4 — 24
Alexandria 7 15 9 11 — 42

3-point goals: Boaz 4 (Ramirez, Ray 2, L. Smith); Alexandria 2 (Weathington, Dodd). Total fouls: Boaz 17, Alexandria 10.

CLASS 5A AREA 10 BOYS

Talladega 66, Clay Central 55: Tournament MVP Ashton Duncan hit four 3-pointers and scored 17 points to lead the Tigers to their eighth area championship in the past 10 years. Chaztin Tanner had 14 points, Fred Dickerson had 12 and Kobe Simmons had nine with six rebounds for Talladega.

The Tigers will host the loser of Saturday night’s Alexandria-Etowah game Tuesday night in the sub-regionals. Clay Central will travel to that game’s winner.

CLASS 3A AREA 9 BOYS

Weaver 72, Ohatchee 53: Amardric Elston continued his strong second half to the season with 22 points and tournament MVP Robert Gaines scored 21 as the Bearcats won the area title. The game was tight throughout the first half with Ohatchee leading at the break, but the Bearcats pulled away in the third quarter with Elston scoring 12 of their 15 points.

Weaver will host the loser of Friday night’s Plainview-Pisgah game in the sub-regionals, while Ohatchee will travel to that game’s winner.

Weaver 72, Ohatchee 53
OHATCHEE – Andrew Roberts 1 0-0 2, Blake Buckelew 7 1-2 17, Ben Glass 3 2-2 9, Carson Stone 0 0-0 0, Grayson Alward 1 0-0 2, Kevin Williamson 3 0-0 7, Bayley Tillison 0 0-0 0, Evan Keller 2 1-3 5, Domonique Thomas 4 1-4 8, Aaron Moore 1 0-2 2, Briley Hale 0 0-2 0, Jordan Lowe 0 0-0 0. Totals 22 5-15 53.

WEAVER – London Knight 3 2-2 8, Robert Gaines 7 6-12 21, Shamar Spinks 4 6-9 16, Nick Torres 1 0-0 2, Alex Perry 0 0-0 0, Dalton Hamby 0 2-2 2, Gary Wallace 0 0-0 0, Amardric Elston 10 2-2 22. Totals 25 19-27 72.

Ohatchee 14 18 4 17 — 53
Weaver 12 18 15 27 — 72

3-point goals: Ohatchee 4 (Buckelew 2, Glass, Williamson); Weaver 3 (Gaines, Spinks 2). Fouled out: Buckelew. Total fouls: Ohatchee 23, Weaver 15. Officials: Thomas, Oden, Harrell. All-tournament team: Robert Gaines, Weaver (MVP); London Knight, Weaver; Shamar Spinks, Weaver; Amardric Elston, Weaver; Ben Glass, Ohatchee; Blake Buckelew, Ohatchee; Eric Johnson, Wellborn.

CLASS 3A AREA 10 GIRLS

Glencoe 71, Piedmont 50: One of the biggest keys to Glencoe’s success this season and their confidence to make a deep run in the playoffs has been a scoring attack that’s both balanced and deep.

Anna Beth Giles scored 15 points to lead the Lady Jackets’ area tournament-winning attack, but nine players scored and four others had at least eight points. Tournament MVP Lauren Cole had 12 points, Abby Vice and Kenleigh Harper 10 each, and Breia Little had eight.
The Lady Jackets took control of this one early. Giles scored eight of her points in the first quarter as Glencoe opened a 22-9 lead. Three players hit four 3-pointers in the third quarter as they extended the lead to 21.

Sydney Prater led Piedmont with 16 points and six rebounds. Kaitlyn Ridley had 10 points and three assists.

Glencoe now hosts Area 13 runnerup Brindlee Mountain in its subregion game, while Piedmont travels to area champion Geraldine.

Glencoe 71, Piedmont 50
PIEDMONT (20-9) – Cayla Parris 0 0-0 0, Kayley Kirk 3 0-1 7, Lele Ridley 1 0-0 2, Hannah Barbre 0 0-0 0, Kaitlyn Ridley 5 0-3 10, Pinky Nation 4 1-2 9, Camron Logan 0 0-0 0, Cassidy Jackson 0 0-0 0, ZaHay Walker 2 0-0 4, Aliyah Teague 0 0-0 0, Sydney Prater 5 5-6 16, Kiara Jackson 1 0-0 2. Totals 21 6-12 50.

GLENCOE (21-8) – A.J. Goodwin 2 0-1 4, Anna Giles 6 2-3 15, Abby Vice 1 8-10 10, Alyssa Goodwin 1 0-0 2, Ashley Morgan 2 2-4 6, Asia Dennis 0 0-0 0, Kenleigh Harper 4 0-0 10, Lexi Gray 0 0-0 0, Lauren Cole 4 2-4 12, Kaylie Davis 0 0-0 0, Breia Little 3 0-0 8, Crimson Silvey 0 0-0 0, Aubrey Gray 2 0-0 4, Makhaiya Cherry 0 0-0 0, Cami Zahorscak 0 0-0 0. Totals 25 14-22 71.

Piedmont 9 14 21 6 — 50
Glencoe 22 21 22 6 — 71

3-point goals: Piedmont 2 (Kirk, Prater); Glencoe 7 (Giles, Harper 2, Cole 2, Little 2). Total fouls: Piedmont 17, Glencoe 15. Officials: Davis, Graves, Daffron. All-tournament team: Lauren Cole, Glencoe (MVP); Kenleigh Harper, Glencoe; Abby Vice, Glencoe; Ashley Morgan, Glencoe; A.B. Giles, Glencoe; Sydney Prater, Piedmont; Kaitlyn Ridley, Piedmont; Kayley Kirk, Piedmont; Pinky Nation, Piedmont; Brooke Perry, Pleasant Valley; Mac Parris, Pleasant Valley.

NORTHEAST REGIONAL AREA TOURNAMENTS

BOYS BRACKETS
CLASS 1A
Area 10
Thurs., Feb. 8
Sacred Heart 104, Jacksonville Christian 48
Spring Garden 87, Donoho 53
Finals, Sat., Feb. 10
Sacred Heart vs. Spring Garden, 7 p.m.
vs.
Area 15
Finals, Thurs., Feb. 8
Decatur Heritage (26-3) 82, Lindsay Lane (23-5) 66

Area 11
Finals, Thurs., Feb. 8
Appalachian 70, Southeastern 68
vs.
Area 14
Thurs., Feb. 8
Cedar Bluff 70, Valley Head 37
Skyline 77, Woodville 45
Finals, Sat., Feb. 10
Cedar Bluff vs. Skyline, 7 p.m.

CLASS 2A
Area 8
Finals, Fri., Feb. 9
Lanett vs. LaFayette, 5:30 p.m. (CST)
vs
Area 12
Thurs., Feb. 8
Collinsville 90, Gaston 48
Westbrook Christian 72, Sand Rock 71
Finals, Sat., Feb. 10
Collinsville vs. Westbrook Christian, 6 p.m.

Area 10
Finals, Thurs., Feb. 8
Vincent 70, Ranburne 50
vs
Area 15
Finals, Fri., Feb. 9
Fyffe vs. Section, 7 p.m

CLASS 3A
Area 9
Finals, Thurs., Feb. 8
Weaver 72, Ohatchee 53
vs
Area 14
Finals, Fri., Feb. 9
Plainview vs. Pisgah, 7 p.m.

Area 10
Finals, Fri., Feb. 9
Glencoe vs. Piedmont, 7 p.m.
vs
Area 13
Thurs., Feb. 8
Geraldine 57, New Hope 47

CLASS 4A
Area 8
Anniston 53, Saks 49
Handley 58, Munford 32
Finals, Sat., Feb. 10
Anniston vs. Handley, 6 p.m.
vs
Area 14
Tues., Feb. 6
Madison Academy 73, Madison County 58
Westminster Christian 43, Randolph 40
Finals, Fri., Feb. 9
Madison Academy vs. Westminster Christian, 7 p.m.

Area 12
Finals, Fri., Feb. 9
Hokes Bluff vs. Jacksonville, 7:30 p.m.
vs
Area 13
Finals, Thurs., Feb. 8
Sardis 63, North Jackson 52

CLASS 5A
Area 10
Finals, Thurs., Feb. 8
Talladega 66, Central-Clay County 55
vs
Area 13
Thurs., Feb. 8
Alexandria 42, Boaz 24
Etowah 72, Douglas 51
Finals, Sat., Feb. 10
Alexandria vs. Etowah, 7 p.m.

Area 11
Finals, Thurs., Feb. 8
Springville (25-5) 41, Mortimer Jordan (18-12) 39
vs
Area 14
Finals, Fri., Feb. 9
Arab vs. Guntersville, 6:30 p.m.

CLASS 6A
Area 10
Finals, Fri., Feb. 9
Homewood vs. Parker, 6 p.m.
vs
Area 13
Finals, Thurs., Feb. 8
Oxford 61, Southside-Gadsden 49

Area 12
Finals, Thurs., Feb. 8
Pinson Valley (22-10) 73, Center Point (8-22) 58
vs
Area 14
Finals, Fri., Feb. 9
Cullman vs. Albertville, 6 p.m.

GIRLS BRACKETS
CLASS 1A
Area 10
Jacksonville Christian 48, Faith Christian 42
Sacred Heart 64, Donoho 40
Spring Garden 95, Jacksonville Christian 32
Finals, Fri., Feb. 9
Spring Garden vs. Sacred Heart, 7 p.m.
vs.
Area 15
Finals, Thurs., Feb. 8
Decatur Heritage (17-14) 62, Whitesburg Christian (8-13) 38

Area 11
Finals, Wed., Feb. 7
Coosa Christian 58, Appalachian 43
vs.
Area 14
Finals, Fri., Feb. 9
Cedar Bluff vs. Skyline, 7 p.m.

CLASS 2A
Area 8
Finals, Fri., Feb. 9
LaFayette vs. Lanett, 5 p.m.
vs
Area 12
Finals, Fri., Feb. 9
Collinsville vs. Sand Rock, 6 p.m.

Area 10
Finals, Wed., Feb. 7
Ranburne 47, Vincent 10
vs
Area 15
Finals, Thurs., Feb. 8
Fyffe 43, Section 41

CLASS 3A
Area 9
Finals, Fri., Feb. 9
Walter Wellborn vs. Weaver, 6 p.m.
vs
Area 14
Finals, Thurs., Feb. 8
Pisgah (26-1) 89, North Sand Mountain (17-9) 54

Area 10
Thurs., Feb. 8
Glencoe (21-8) 71, Piedmont (20-9) 50
vs
Area 13
Finals, Thurs., Feb. 8
Geraldine 54, Brindlee Mountain 26

CLASS 4A
Area 8
Finals, Fri., Feb. 9
Anniston vs. Handley, 6 p.m.
vs
Area 14
Finals, Thurs., Feb. 8
Madison Academy 66, Madison County 43

Area 12
Finals, Fri., Feb. 9
Hokes Bluff vs. Jacksonville, 6 p.m.
vs
Area 13
Finals, Wed., Feb. 7, 6 p.m.
North Jackson 36, DAR (13-13) 35

CLASS 5A
Area 10
Finals, Wed., Feb. 7
Talladega (29-2) 56, Cleburne County (16-13) 22
vs
Area 13
Finals, Fri., Feb. 9
Alexandria vs. Boaz, 6 p.m.

Area 11
Finals, Thurs., Feb. 8
Mortimer Jordan vs. Corner, 6 p.m.
vs
Area 14
Finals, Wed., Feb. 7
Scottsboro (26-3) 74, Arab (15-12) 45

CLASS 6A
Area 10
Finals, Thurs., Feb. 8
Ramsay 60, Homewood 49
vs
Area 13
Finals, Wed., Feb. 7
Southside-Gadsden (23-1) 45, Pell City (14-8) 44

Area 12
Finals. Wed., Feb. 7
Center Point (21-10) 42, Clay-Chalkville (18-9) 34
vs
Area 14
Finals, Thurs., Feb. 8
Brewer (28-4) 58, Cullman (18-14) 48

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