Big holiday stage
- Updated: December 27, 2022
Teams in and around Calhoun County returned to the court Tuesday following Christmas; several OT games highlight the day
BOYS GAMES
Cleburne County Holiday Hoops Classic
Boys Games
Ohatchee 64, Ranburne 62 (3 OT)
Clay Central 69, Faith Christian 35
Vincent 68, Woodland 25
Cleburne County 42, Weaver 38
Hilton Sandestin Beach Blowout
Forsyth Central (Ga.) 55, White Plains 45
40th annual Huntsville City Classic
Austin 65, Jacksonville 63 (OT)
Oxford 53, Lee-Huntsville 44
Phenix City Christmas Tournament
Anniston 69, Robert E. Lee 65
Supreme Courts Christmas Tournament
Fyffe 63, Alexandria 50
Piedmont 75, Etowah 62
GIRLS GAMES
Ball ‘n’ Prep, Hazel Green
Hillcrest 58, Oxford 44
Cleburne County Holiday Hoops Classic
Ohatchee 71, Ranburne 50
Hiram 77, Clay Central 29
Alexandria 60, Woodland 23
Cleburne County 56, Vincent 43
Pell City Christmas Classic
Chelsea 66, Jacksonville 37
By East Alabama Sports Today
HUNTSVILLE – Playing in the Huntsville City Classic has often proved to be the turning point of the season for some of the more successful teams in Calhoun County that have wrangled an invitation to the event.
Oxford has pointed to its trip there during some of its deepest post-season runs in recent years. Jacksonville said as much last year on its way to the state championship.
Both teams were back there Tuesday to open the 40th edition of the Classic and although they met with different opening-round outcomes – Oxford beat Lee-Huntsville 53-44 and Jacksonville lost to Austin 65-63 in double overtime — both are looking for the experience to be the springboard to greater things.
“You use the first half of your season to figure out who you are and by this tournament hopefully you have,” Oxford coach Joel VanMeter said. “You come into this setting – and we had a couple guys nervous because the gym was standing room only – we try to use that to take the next step after the first part of the season and propel you into your (region) season and county tournament. And it has for us.”
“We’re here for the competition,” said Jacksonville coach Tres Buzan.
The moment may have been a little bigger for some of the young Yellow Jackets early, but they settled in and used a big second half to secure their victory.
The Jackets were up one at halftime, but T.J. Allen had a big second half and Jayden Lewis stepped up to complete a double-double. Allen scored 15 of his 21 points and hit three of his four 3-pointers in the second half. Lewis had six points in the half and finished with 16 points and 14 rebounds. Brock Reaves hit two 3-pointers in the second half.
“I just think we keep growing and getting better,” VanMeter said. “The more games these guys play, the better they’re going to get. We didn’t play a perfect game, no doubt, but we did not wilt.
“At times when you make some mistakes you wilt, but you could hear our guys on the floor (saying) ‘next play, next play.’ In the second half the kids decided they were going to go make a play. They were a little hesitant early because of the atmosphere, but they decided to make plays. They’re growing up a lot, keep getting better. Those guys definitely stepped up.”
Jacksonville led in its game by nine with seven minutes left in regulation, but the 7A Black Bears battled back. John Broom had a chance to give the Golden Eagles the win in regulation, but his left-handed jumper from the right side of the lane with two seconds left hit the rim and fell away.
The teams only scored two points each in the first extra period. Austin had the last shot in the first overtime, but Jacksonville got the stop.
Austin hit the go-ahead layup with eight seconds left in the second overtime. Devin Barksdale had the last shot for Jacksonville, but missed a potential winning 3-pointer with two Bears in his face.
Barksdale hit five 3-pointers in the game and had 15 points. Caden Johnson was the Golden Eagles’ leading scorer with 17 points and Broom had a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
“It was definitely a defensive battle, for sure,” Buzan said. “I thought we played well as far as the overall game … but we didn’t execute and finish the game like we wanted to.
“They got us today and I think we could get them on another day. It was pretty even competition, but we’ve got to execute better and we’ve got to shoot it better.”
Oxford will play Bob Jones in Wednesday’s 1:30 p.m. second-round game. Jacksonville will play Madison Academy in the consolation bracket at 10:30 a.m.
HUNTSVILLE CITY CLASSIC
OXFORD 53, LEE-HUNTSVILLE 44
OXFORD (6-9) – Jaylen Alexander 4-8 2-3 10, Caleb Sanders 0-3 0-0 0, T.J. Allen 7-15 3-4 21, Brock Reaves 2-7 0-0 6, Jayden Lewis 6-10 4-8 16, Dashaun Callaway 0-0 0-0 0, Marcus Perry 0-4 0-0 0, Elijah Malone 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 19-47 9-15 53.
LEE (5-8) – Namon Hobson 7-19 1-2 15, Lamont Smothers 3-3 0-0 7, Dee Toney 1-6 0-0 2, Myles Jones 1-1 0-0 2, Deavious Woods 0-8 0-0 10, Chase Stuart 2-9 2-3 8, Tee King 3-7 0-0 7, Tyran Jacobs 0-2 0-0 0, Christian Williams 0-3 0-0 0, Malachi Nichiols 1-1 0-0 2, Amarious Nance 0-0 0-0 0, Isaiah Scott 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 18-59 3-5 44.
Oxford 10 12 13 18 – 53
Lee 14 7 11 11 – 44
3-point goals: Oxford 6-19 (Alexander 0-1, Sanders 0-1, Allen 4-9, Reaves 3-6, Perry 0-2); Lee 5-27 (Hobson 0-7, Smothers 1-1, Toney 1-3, Woods 0-3, Stuart 2-7, King 1-3, Jacobs 0-1, Williams 0-2). Rebounds: Oxford 41 (Lewis 14, Reaves 8, Alexander 8); Lee 30 (Woods 10). Total fouls: Oxford 6, Lee 16. Officials: Brackett, Flowers, Burns.
AUSTIN 65, JACKSONVILLE 63 (2 OT)
JACKSONVILLE – Caden Johnson 5-11 7-9 17, Devin Barksdale 5-8 0-0 15, John Broom 6-19 2-3 14, Cam Johnson 3-8 1-2 8, Ethan Duke 3-5 0-0 7, Dee Prothro 1-1 0-0 2, Jaquan Ervin 0-1 0-0 0, Kydric Fisher 0-0 0-0 0, Jaleik Long 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 23-54 10-14 63.
AUSTIN – Jordan Johnson 10-23 2-6 26, Harry Malone 5-11 1-2 15, Cameron Collins 5-9 1-2 11, DeAir Young 2-5 1-4 5, Elijah Thrower 1-5 0-0 2, Isaiah Fuller 1-4 0-0 2, Jaxon Potter 0-2 2-2 2, Lenarion Wynn 1-4 0-2 2, Jeremiah Ayers 0-2 0-0 0, Caleb Fletcher 0-1 0-0 0, Caiden Ricks 0-1 0-0 0, Jordan Collins 0-0 0-0 0, Karokus Jackson 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 25-67 7-18 65.
Jacksonville 13 13 18 11 2 6 – 63
Austin 10 16 13 16 2 8 – 65
3-point goals: Jacksonville 7-23 (Cd. Johnson 0-2, Barksdale 5-7, Broom 0-5, Cm. Johnson 1-6, Duke 1-3); Austin 8-19 (Johnson 4-6, Malone 4-7, C. Collins 0-2, Young 0-1, Fuller 0-1, Potter 0-1, Fletcher 0-1); Rebounds: Jacksonville 36 (Broom 12, Cd. Johnson 6); Austin 42 (Johnson 6, Thrower 6). Technical fouls: Cm. Johnson. Total fouls: Jacksonville 20, Austin 11.
Heflin Holiday Hoops Classic
HEFLIN – Ohatchee rallied from seven down with three minutes left in regulation to tie the game and three overtimes later came away with a 64-62 win over Ranburne to open the boys portion of the Cleburne County Holiday Hoops Classic.
The Indians had leads in each of the first two overtimes, but each time Ranburne hit the last shot to extend the game. Finally, Jesse Baswell hit a floater in the lane with less than a minute left to put the Indians up in the third overtime then Kelbe Crook hit a free throw with two seconds to play for the final margin.
“It felt like a game that would never end,” Ohatchee coach Bryant Ginn said.
After looking sloppy for most of the game, a 3-pointer by Eli Teem in the fourth quarter brought the Indians to life. It particularly ignited Crook. He scored 28 points in the game, but had 18 in the fourth quarter and overtimes.
“There were plenty of teaching moments come out of that game,” Ginn said. “I think it was good for our guys to fight back. I didn’t see a lot of energy for the first three and a half quarters before we realized we were going to lose this game if we don’t start playing to our capability.”
CLAY CENTRAL 69, FAITH CHRISTIAN 35: The Lions were missing Calhoun County’s leading scorer – and may not have him the entire tournament – and struggled to score points.
Thomas Curlee, who leads the county with a 27.3 scoring average, missed the game due to illness. The Lions were held to two points in the first quarter and didn’t place a scorer in double figures. Conner Richerzhagen was their leading scorer with nine points. Eli Robinson and Parker Robertson had seven each.
CLEBURNE COUNTY 42, WEAVER 38: The Tigers went 6-for-7 from the free throw line in the fourth quarter to complete a rally from a seven-point halftime deficit. Jacob Cavender went 4-for-4 from the line in the quarter and led the tournament hosts with 14 points. Greyson Freeman had 11. Armane Burton led Weaver with 10 points.
OHATCHEE 64, RANBURNE 62
OHATCHEE – Eli Teem 2 0-0 5, Jake Roberts 6 0-1 12, Jesse Baswell 2 2-4 6, Tripp Pesnell 0 0-0 0, Alston Carroll 0 0-2 0, Jake Roberson 3 1-6 7, Nathan Dover 0 0-0 0, Brent Jennings 1 4-4 6, Kelbe Crook 11 6-9 28. Totals 25 13-26 64.
RANBURNE – Bryce Cash 1 1-1 3, Isaac Walker 3 1-2 7, Tate Bailey 3 4-9 11, Seth McAdams 1 1-4 4, Will Skinner 1 0-0 2, Josh Ertzberger 2 2-2 6, Jax Stewart 10 0-1 24, Garrett Jackson 2 0-0 5. Totals 23 9-19 62.
Ohatchee 11 11 8 15 7 7 5 – 64
Ranburne 14 8 14 9 7 7 3 – 62
3-point goals: Ohatchee 1 (Teem); Ranburne 7 (Bailey, McAdams, Stewart 4, Jackson). Fouled out: Jackson, McAdams. Total fouls: Ohatchee 19, Ranburne 23. Officials: Burroughs, Nelms, Taylor.
CLEBURNE COUNTY 42, WEAVER 38
WEAVER – Tristan Brown 2 0-0 4, Eli Smith 0 0-0 0, Jeffrey Miles 2 0-1 4, Keshawn Allen 2 0-0 4, Dawson Brooks 1 1-1 3, Dalton Homesley 1 0-0 2, Jackson Williams 3 3-4 9, Armane Burton 4 1-3 10, Austin Snider 0 0-0 0, Harper Williams 0 2-2 2. Totals 15 7-11 38.
CLEBURNE COUNTY – Jacob Cavender 4 4-4 15, Dawson Haynes 0 0-0 0, Jackson Miller 3 0-1 7, Silas Altman 1 0-0 3, Rico Huguley 1 0-0 2, James Cotton 0 0-0 0, Nathan Adams 1 2-2 4, Greyson Freeman 5 1-2 12. Totals 15 7-9 42.
Weaver 7 14 9 8 – 38
Cleburne County 7 7 14 14 – 42
3-point goals: Weaver 1 (Burton); Cleburne County 5 (Cavender 3, Miller, Altman). Total fouls: Weaver 14, Cleburne County 12.
Girls Games
OHATCHEE 71, RANBURNE 50: The Lady Indians had two elements that more often than not will bring them a victory – they don’t the ball over much and Jorda Crook scores a lot of points.
Crook, the leading scorer in Calhoun County girls basketball by a wide margin, scored 43 points and the Lady Indians were charged with fewer than a dozen turnovers. But they still needed a big fourth quarter to pull out their victory.
“I thought we handled the ball well,” Ohatchee coach Bryant Ginn said. “I’d bet we had less than 10 turnovers. That was huge. We’ve been talking about that; you’ve got a good chance to win if you don’t turn the ball over much. That had been a thing with us, being patient.
“And we knocked down shots. We’ve had five days off and that always worries you.”
For Crook, it was another day at the office. Her 43 points pushed her season total past 500 and raised her scoring average more than a half-point to 36.4. She scored 26 points in the second half, 15 in the fourth quarter after Ranburne got it back to within one. Kiana Garber hit a pair of 3-pointers in the quarter to help the Lady Indians pull away.
Briley Merrill led Ranburne with 21 points. Jadie Phillips had 14 and Aubree Anglin 10.
CLEBURNE COUNTY 56, VINCENT 43: Faith Brown is giving Ohatchee’s Jorda Crook a good run for tournament scoring honors, going for 41 points in the Lady Tigers’ victory.
Brown scored all nine of the Lady Tigers’ points in the first quarter, 16 of their 18 in the first half and outscored Vincent in the second half on her own. Hanna Turley scored 10 of her 12 points in the Lady Tigers’ second-half effort.
OHATCHEE 71, RANBURNE 50
OHATCHEE – Tabi Davison 1 0-0 2, Whitney McFry 1 1-2 4, Kiana Garber 3 1-2 9, Jorda Crook 19 5-9 43, Lindsey Zurchin 3 0-0 9, Alyssa Davis 2 0-0 4. Totals 29 7-13 71.
RANBURNE – Autumn Phillips 1 0-0 3, Briley Merrill 7 4-4 21, Aubree Anglin 4 0-0 10, Brylee Bailey 1 0-0 2, Jadie Phillips 5 0-0 14. Totals 18 4-4 50.
Ohatchee 14 18 14 25 – 71
Ranburne 14 10 20 6 – 50
3-point goals: Ohatchee 6 (McFry, Garber 2, Zurchin 3); Ranburne 10 (A. Phillips, Merrill 3, Anglin 2, J. Phillips 4). Total fouls: Ohatchee 6, Ranburne 10. Officials: Burroughs, Taylor, Nelms.
CLEBURNE COUNTY 56, VINCENT 43
VINCENT – Keaerria Lykes 2 1-6 5, Makayla Pekins 0 0-0 0, Jakilah Norwood 1 2-6 4, Takyla Smoot 3 1-4 7, Jakalynn McGinnis 8 0-2 16, Trenay Lane 4 0-0 11, Totals 18 4-18 43.
CLEBURNE COUNTY – Faith Brown 14 13-14 41, Makenzie Frames 0 1-2 1, Hannah Turley 5 0-0 12, Neveha Williams 0 0-0 0, Cori Austin 1 0-0 2, Baylie Jones 0 0-0 0, Alivia Boyd 0 0-0 0, Lili Whatley 0 0-0 0. Totals 20 14-16 56.
Vincent 16 7 9 11 – 43
Cleburne County 9 9 19 19 – 56
3-point goals: Vincent 3 (Lane 3); Cleburne County 2 (Turley 2). Total fouls: Vincent 13, Cleburne County 13. Officials: Kelley, Jarrett, Pratt.
Supreme Courts
PIEDMONT 75, ETOWAH 62: Alex Odam scored 25 of his game-high 36 points in the second half and Cole Wilson scored 14 on the strength of four 3-pointers as the Bulldogs won their fourth in a row. Odam is now averaging 23.6 points a game. The Bulldogs (8-2) will play Prattville Christian Wednesday.
FYFFE 63, ALEXANDRIA 50: The Red Devils came out red hot in the second half to rally past the Valley Cubs.
Fyffe hit 14 of 17 shots from the floor – 8-of-10 from 3-point range – and won the second half 46-26. Eli Butts hit his last five shots from the floor and scored 15 of his team-high 18 in the second half. Jesse Burt scored 12 of his 14 in the second half.
Alexandria’s Drake Davis led all scorers with 26 points, including all four of the Cubs’ 3-pointers. Kory Cargal had 17.
SUPREME COURTS CHRISTMAS TOURNAMENT
PIEDMONT 75, ETOWAH 62
PIEDMONT (8-2) – Alex Odam 15 5-5 36, Rollie Pinto 4 2-3 10, Ish Bethel 4 0-0 9, Luke Rhinehart 0 0-0 0, Jake Rhinehart 0 0-0 0, Trevor Pike 0 0-0 0, Chance Murphy 1 0-0 2, Rhett Alford 1 1-1 3, Cole Wilson 5 0-0 14, Dontavious Jordan 0 0-0 0. Totals 30 9-11 75.
ETOWAH – Tyler Newsome 0 0-0 0, Caden Argo 2 2-2 7, Omareon Finch 3 0-0 6, Jalien Walker 9 6-6 27, Peyton Morrison 2 0-1 4, Mason Sholar 0 0-0 0, Andrew Pierce 5 1-3 12, Marquan Mahone 2 1-2 6. Totals 23 10-14 62.
Piedmont 20 15 26 14 – 75
Etowah 15 16 16 15 – 62
3-point goals: Piedmont 6 (Odam, Bethel, Wilson 4); Etowah 6 (Argo, Walker 3, Pierce, Mahome). Total fouls: Piedmont 16, Etowah 13.
FYFFE 63, ALEXANDRIA 50
ALEXANDRIA – Drake Davis 8-15 6-7 26, Evan Snow 0-4 1-2 1, T.K. Downie 2-5 2-4 6, Matthew McElroy 0-0 0-0 0, Kory Cargal 5-9 7-8 17, Cleat Forrest 0-6 0-0 0, Caleb Folsom 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 15-41 16-21 50.
FYFFE – Eli Carter 3-6 2-3 9, Brodie Willoughby 1-2 0-0 2, Carter Wilborn 2-3 5-7 11, Zane Lee 0-0 3-4 3, Eli Butts 5-7 6-9 18, Cooper Cox 2-2 1-2 6, Jesse Burt 4-5 3-5 14, Jesse Matthews 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 17-26 20-30 63.
Alexandria 15 9 13 13 – 50
Fyffe 12 5 24 22 – 63
3-point goals: Alexandria 4-16 (Davis 4-10, Snow 0-3, Forrest 0-3); Fyffe 9-16 (Carter 1-2, Willoughby 0-1, Wilborn 2-3, Butts 2-4, Cox 1-1, Burt 3-4, Matthews 0-1). Fouled out: Snow. Total fouls: Alexandria 24, Fyffe 20.
Hilton Sandestin Beach Blowout
FORSYTH CENTRAL 55, WHITE PLAINS 45: The Wildcats opened the third quarter with a 12-0 run to cut their deficit to three, but the Bulldogs from Georgia – as they had every time White Plains made a run – hit back-to-back 3s and stayed in front the rest of the game.
Luke Bussey led White Plains with 14 points. Josh Wheeler had nine. The Wildcats play another Georgia team, Whitewater, Wednesday at 10:30 a.m.
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