Lady Jackets tend to Garden
- Updated: February 4, 2023
Oxford spoils Spring Garden’s bid for undefeated regular season; White Plains’ Martin finding stroke at right time, PV’s Gannaway, Hester have career nights, and more
FRIDAY’S GIRLS GAMES
Alexandria 59, Saks 32
Oxford 59, Spring Garden 53
Pleasant Valley 76, Coosa Christian 31
Ohatchee 67, Ragland 39
Southside 55, Glencoe 47
Jacksonville Christian 61, Valley Head 56
Piedmont 51, Westbrook 36
Sand Rock 73, Cedar Bluff 53
White Plains 54, Faith Christian 18
By Al Muskewitz
East Alabama Sports Today
OXFORD – Jamea Gaston hadn’t had much success with her shot during the game, but when she let that 3-pointer go late in the fourth quarter Friday, she just knew it was good.
The junior guard’s 3-pointer with 1:29 to play was the sharpest dagger in a closing run that lifted the Oxford girls to a 59-53 win over Spring Garden, handing the Lady Panthers their first loss of the season in the final regular-season game of the year.
It was Gaston’s only bucket of the game.
“In the first half I wasn’t really hitting many shots, so I felt like in the second half, since it was a big time, I just had to hit that 3,” Gaston said. “Once it left my hand even though I’ve been off I knew that one was just going in.”
Interestingly, Gaston’s 3 came from virtually the same spot the Lady Jackets lost a made 3 by Mya McGrue moments earlier when coach Melissa Bennett was granted a time out right before the shot. It would have given Oxford a 54-48 lead with 2:13 to play. Instead, it fell on Gaston some 45 seconds later.
“We were stuck underneath, that’s when I called the time out,” Bennett said. “He gave me the timeout late. Yes, we hit 3 and I blew it. As soon as (Gaston) shot it, all the coaches were like, ‘You’d better hit that.’ That was a big 3 because at that point it was a one-possession game.
“Shooters feel it. It’s kind of like the guys the other night. (Marcus) Perry had missed a bunch of them, but he hit it when it mattered. Jamea hadn’t been hitting, but she hit it right there when it really mattered.”
Spring Garden (29-1) was one of the last two remaining undefeated girls teams in the AHSAA and was trying to lock up its second undefeated regular-season in program history. The Lady Panthers last led 48-46 with 3:23 to play before Oxford went on the 10-0 tear that gave it the game.
Ace Austin hit a three-quarters court shot at the buzzer for the final margin. It was, of course, too little, too late. The Lady Panthers were 9-for-29 from the 3-point line, just two of their first 10.
“”When you’re having a hard time getting points in the paint you’re going to have to knock down some,” Spring Garden coach Ricky Austin said. “If we hadn’t have hit the ones we did it would have been real ugly, but it wasn’t enough to make a difference.”
Now that the prospect of an undefeated season is gone, the Lady Panthers are turning their focus to the future.
“It doesn’t matter if we finished up 30-0 or 29-1, we’ve got to go 7-0 starting next week and that’s the most important thing,” Spring Garden coach Ricky Austin said. “It doesn’t matter if we finished 15-15 or 30-0, our focus right now is to be 7-0.
“Sometimes a loss can do good. I know everybody says that a lot when it happens like this, but they beat us. They beat us in more ways than just physically. I thought they wanted it, especially the first two minutes of the third quarter. I thought they did a really good job of coming out and hitting us in the mouth and we didn’t handle that real well.”
Austin’s game-ending 3-pointer gave her 11 for the game. Kayley Kirk hit three 3s and had 13 points. Libby Brown hit four 3s and led Spring Garden with 18 points.
Oxford was led by its Big Three – Xai Whitfield (15), Justice Woods (20) and McGrue (11).
“We just put it all together tonight,” Woods said.
“It feels awesome to be able to go out like that, finish the regular season like that,” Bennett said. “We were all in a little positive streak anyway and to be able to beat something like Spring Garden, as storied as they are, as good as they are … makes us super excited. Our effort was awesome tonight.”
SPRING GARDEN – Ace Austin 5 0-0 11, Kayley Kirk 5 0-0 13, Chloe Rule 3 2-4 8, Libby Brown 5 4-5 18, Maggie Jarrett 1 0-0 3. Totals 19 6-9 53.
OXFORD – Xai Whitfield 6 2-4 15, Justice Woods 8 2-4 20, Mya McGrue 4 3-3 11, Jamea Gaston 1 0-0 3, Kaylen Kenney 3 2-3 8, Shay Montgomery 1 0-0 2. Totals 23 9-14 59.
| Spring Garden | 8 | 16 | 16 | 13 – | 53 |
| Oxford | 15 | 9 | 14 | 21 – | 59 |
3-point goals: Spring Garden 9 (Austin, Kirk 3, Brown 4, Jarrett); Oxford 4 (Whitfield, Woods 2, Gaston). Total fouls: Spring Garden 12, Oxford 11. Officials: Railey, Winn, Hanson.
WHITE PLAINS 54, FAITH CHRISTIAN 18: The key to basketball is getting hot at the right time, and White Plains’ Cooper Martin has found her 3-point stroke as the Wildcats round the corner to their area tournament.
The junior hit four 3-pointers for the second time this week. White Plains’ second victory this week comes as the Wildcats eye Jacksonville in Tuesday’s Class 4A, Area 10 tournament at Cherokee County. The winner advances to sub-regional play, and the loser’s season ends.
Jacksonville swept their two regular-season meetings.
“We’ve got a shot,” White Plains coach Matt Ford said. “I know we can play with them. Obviously, they can beat us, but I’m looking forward to it.
“If we do get out of the area, it would be the first time in a long time that we’ve gotten out of area.”
The WIldcats shot 8-for-54 and at home in their last meeting with Jacksonville, but that was a few threes ago for Martin. She hit four in a victory over Lincoln on Tuesday and made four more Friday, against Faith.
She finished with 17 points. That backed up her 18 point showing against Lincoln.
It’s a different look for Cooper, who attacked the rim more as a sophomore. Threes became more a part of her game over the summer.
“Last year, I wasn’t a shooter at all,” she said. “We’ve been shooting a lot in practice, so it started happening.”
White Plains also got 15 points from Isabella Higgins on Friday and held Faith to four single-digit quarters.
“Everybody did their job tonight,” Ford said. “I was pleased with the attitude and effort throughout.
“Against Lincoln the other night, we missed 21 free throws. I know our percentage was a lot better (10-for-17 Friday), and we boxed out better, and those were the things that made me the happiest tonight.” – Joe Medley
WHITE PLAINS – Cooper Martin 6 1-1 17, Isabella Higgins 6 3-10 15, Hallie Williams 4 0-0 8, Addison Bradley 3 4-4 10, Cassidy Arnold 1 2-2 4. Totals 20 10-17 54.
FAITH CHRISTIAN – Anna Kate Robertson 0 0-0 0, Emma Shaw 2 0-0 4 Joelle Tillery 3 0-0 8, Serenity Pate 2 0-0 4, Cheyenne Rice 1 0-0 2. Totals 8 0-0 18.
| White Plains | 23 | 9 | 16 | 6 – | 54 |
| Faith Christian | 5 | 4 | 2 | 7 – | 18 |
3-point goals: White Plains 3 (Martin 4); Faith Christian 2 (Tillery 2). Total fouls: White Plains 16, Faith Christian 9. Officials: Jarrett, Kelley, Braxton.
OHATCHEE 67, RAGLAND 39: Fresh off of her 61-point performance on Thursday, Jorda Crook scored 32 to lead the Indians past neighboring Ragland.
Alyssa Davis added 11 points for Ohatchee, which plays host to Hokes Bluff in the Class 3A, Area 11 tournament Monday at 7 p.m.
RAGLAND – Skylar Addison 3 3-5 9, Anna Burnham 1 0-2 3, Campbell Adams 5 1-1 13, Conya Brewster 0 4-4 4, Brooklyn Rains 0 1-2 0, Shaylah Turner 2 0-0 5, Oaklei Tidwell 2 0-0 4. Totals 13 8-13 39.
OHATCHEE – Tabi Davidson 1 1-4 3, Katherina Marsh 1 0-0 2, Emily Riddle 1 0-0 3, Whitney McFry 0 1-4 1, Mia Waters 3 2-4 8, Kiana Garber 2 2-2 7, Jorda Crook 13 8-11 32, Alyssa Davis 5 0-1 11. Totals 26 14-26 67.
| Ragland | 11 | 14 | 6 | 8 – | 39 |
| Ohatchee | 27 | 16 | 17 | 7 – | 67 |
3-point goals: Ragland 9 (Hill 5, Turner 3, Collins); Ohatchee 2 (Riddle, Davis). Total fouls: Ragland 18, Ohatchee 17. Officials: Royster, McCord, Dyar.
ALEXANDRIA 59, SAKS 36: Fresh off of a dramatic victory at Jacksonville on Thursday, Alexandria overcame a rugged start to roll past Saks.
Charlee Parris led the with 16 points, and Jordyn Walker added 12.
Alexandria also marked the return of Jill Cockrell from COVID-19. She hit a 3-pointer.
Madison Turner led Saks with 17 points.
ALEXANDRIA – Landry Patterson 0 0-2 0, Jordyn Walker 4 4-6 12, Kirsten Heathcock 1 2-2 4, Jill Cockrell 1 0-0 3, Cassidy Hartsfield 2 4-4 8, Charlee Parris 7 2-3 16, Zoey Wilson 0 0-2 0, Sumira Duncan 3 0-4 6, Makayla Brewster 0 4-4 4, Allyssa Hunt 2 2-3 6. Totals 15 16-28 59.
SAKS – Savannah Walker 0 0-2 0, Alonna Crews 1 0-0 2, Sania Angel 3 7-9 13, Monterria Christopher 0 0-2 0, Madison Turner 8 1-3 17, Jada Foster 0 0-1 0. Totals 12 8-17 36.
| Alexandria | 6 | 15 | 24 | 14 – | 59 |
| Saks | 7 | 12 | 7 | 6 – | 36 |
3-point goals: Alexandria 1 (Cockrell). Total fouls: Alexandria 19, Saks 22. Officials: Fletcher, Montgomery, Tillery.
PIEDMONT 51, WESTBROOK CHRISTIAN 36: Ava Pope hit four 3-pointers and scored 21 points to help Piedmont break a four-game skid.
LeLe Ridley balanced Pope’s performance with 20 points.
Piedmont (14-13) will play host to Wellborn on Tuesday at 4 p.m. in the Class 3A, Area 11 tournament.
WESTBROOK CHRISTIAN – Addison Hammontree 1 0-0 2, Isabella Millirons 3 3-9 11, Sara Windle 1 0-0 3, Ellison Stewart 0 3-4 3, Danielle Prime 0 1-2 1, Gracie Hyfield 2 0-0 5, Makayla Bean 4 0-2 10, Annabella McCulley 0 0-1 0, Keyara Jones 0 1-3 1. Totals 11 8-21 36.
PIEDMONT – Armoni Perry 0 0-0 0, Ava Pope 6 5-8 21, Jaycee Glover 0 1-2 1, LeLe Ridley 6 8-14 20, Cayla Brothers 1 0-0 2, Melanie Studdard 1 2-5 4, Carson Young 0 0-0 0, Gracie Naugher 1 1-2 3, Morgan Studdard 0 0-0 0. Totals 15 17-31 51.
| Westbrook Christian | 11 | 11 | 6 | 8 – | 36 |
| Piedmont | 11 | 10 | 19 | 11 – | 51 |
3-point goals: Westbrook Christian 6 (Millirons 2, Bean 2, Windle, Hyfield); Piedmont 4 (Pope 4). Total fouls: Westbrook Christian 19, Piedmont 16. Fouled out: none. Technical foul: Jones. Officials: Warren.
JACKSONVILLE CHRISTIAN 61, VALLEY HEAD 56: Erin Prater swished six 3-pointers en route to a game-high 22 points. She also grabbed six rebounds.
Kara Grace pulled down 16 rebounds to go with 12 points, and Rebekah Carter turned in eight points, 11 boards, eight assists, four steals and three steals
JCA finished the regular season 17-7 and will play Cedar Bluff Tuesday at 4 p.m. in the Class 1A, Area 12 tournament.
VALLEY HEAD – Jenna McKenzie 6 0-0 13, Sophia Blair 5 2-2 12, Lila McElhaney 1 0-0 3, Bella Lewis 8 1-4 17, Emma Harrison 3 4-4 11. Totals 23 7-10 56.
JACKSONVILLE CHRISTIAN – Katie Beth Hudson 1 0-0 2, Addy Lee 4 1-3 10, Rebekah Carter 2 6-7 8, Erin Prater 7 2-2 22, Kara Grace 5 2-4 12, Carlie Chesson 3 0-0 6, Payten Walker 0 1-2 1. Totals 22 12-18 61.
| Valley Head | 11 | 8 | 17 | 20 – | 56 |
| Jacksonville Christian | 3 | 19 | 18 | 21 – | 61 |
3-point goals: Valley Head 6 (McKenzie, McElhaney, Harrison); Jacksonville Christian 7 (Prater 6, Lee). Total fouls: Valley Head 17, Jacksonville Christian 13. Fouled out: Walker. Officials: Pratt, Hollingsworth, Hearst.
PLEASANT VALLEY 76, COOSA CHRISTIAN 31: Rebekah Gannaway (32) and Kianna Hester (18) both enjoyed career-high scoring nights and the Lady Raiders hit a season-high 14 3s to close the regular season on a high note. Gannaway and Hester both made six 3s.
PLEASANT VALLEY – .Macey Roper 5 1-2 12, Rebekah Gannaway 10 6-10 32, Kianna Hester 6 0-0 18, Lacey Robinson 0 0-0 0, Haylie Lee 2 1-2 5, Ella Kate Parris 0 0-0 0, Abby Parris 1 0-0 3, Ashlynn Salster 1 0-0 2, Bailey Brown 0 0-0 0, Alexa Cranmer 2 0-0 4. Totals 27 8-14 76.
COOSA CHRISTIAN – Ranyiah Dupree 3 0-0 6, Katherine England 1 0-0 2, Mya Ellen 1 0-1 2, Bella Cate O’Bryant 4 0-0 8, Caitlin Cates 5 0-0 12, Malaina Ellen 0 0-2 0, Lexi Reeves 0 1-2 1, Natalie Delp 0 0-6 0. Totals 14 1-2 31.
| Pleasant Valley | 16 | 25 | 19 | 15 – | 76 |
| Coosa Christian | 13 | 4 | 13 | 1 – | 31 |
3-point goals: Pleasant Valley 14 (Roper, Gannaway 6, Hester 6, A. Parris); Coosa 2 (Cates 2). Total fouls: Pleasant Valley 11, Coosa 13. Officials: Battles, Bowman, Tinsley.
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