Let the debate begin
- Updated: January 4, 2022
County tournament seeding meeting could be lively debate at top of the bracket; straw poll puts Jacksonville No. 1
By Al Muskewitz
East Alabama Sports Today
Wednesday’s seeding meeting for the Calhoun County Basketball Tournament has a chance to be one of the most spirited in years, if the coaches engage in the debate for their teams the hype brings to bear.
Three of the top teams in the state reside in the county and the case could be made any of four are viable candidates for the No. 1 seed.
Anniston, Jacksonville, Oxford and, on the outside, Alexandria could all make a case for the top spot.
Jacksonville (9-4 through Tuesday) has the strongest first eight in town and 6-9 Cade Phillips gives the Golden Eagles the element to complete their puzzle, but they also have struggled when teams keep them from getting out and running. They beat Etowah Tuesday night 81-78 on John Broom’s 3-pointer with time running out.
Oxford (10-10) is the biggest school in the county and plays a dynamic schedule and that’s counted for something over the years. While the Jackets have D’d up a lot of teams, they’ve had trouble scoring.
Anniston (9-7) has one of the best players in the state, but when Antonio Kite appears disinterested the Bulldogs play that way. But on the big stage of the county tournament they’re expected to be highly motivated.
Alexandria (5-1) has the leading scorer in the county in the smooth D’Anthony Walton and has some strong secondary scorers to go with him, but the Cubs haven’t played enough games to establish a true identity.
Head-to-head doesn’t help because there’s only been one game among them this season – Jacksonville’s nine-point win over Alexandria in the Valley Cubs’ season opener. Anniston and Jacksonville play on Jan. 14 – the first day of the tournament – but that’ll be too late for this debate.
In-county records: Jacksonville 4-0, Oxford 1-0, Anniston 1-0, Alexandria 1-1.
Jacksonville, Oxford and Anniston all played in the Huntsville City Classic last week. Oxford went 2-1, the other two went 1-2.
Don’t know that common opponents are going to help much, either. Mae Jemison beat Anniston, but lost to Oxford. Talladega beat Jacksonville, but lost to Anniston. Alexandria and Oxford both beat Pell City. Oxford and Anniston both lost to Huffman. Anniston and Alexandria both beat Lincoln. Oxford, Anniston and Jacksonville all beat White Plains with running clocks.
In a totally anonymous EA Sports Today straw poll of the coaches – the way they used to seed the field – Jacksonville is the favorite to come out of Wednesday’s meeting with the No. 1 seed, followed by Oxford, Anniston and Alexandria.
Here are the complete poll results:
Jacksonville
Oxford
Anniston
Alexandria
Saks
Piedmont
White Plains
Faith Christian
Weaver
Pleasant Valley
Jacksonville Christian
Ohatchee
Donoho
Wellborn
Oxford is expected to land the No. 1 seed in the girls field, ending Anniston’s six-year hold on the top seed.
Let the debate begin. It promises to be a lively one.
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