‘Desperate’
- Updated: December 13, 2024
Rallying after loss to Hewitt-Trussville, Oxford comes together to down Hale County in Larry & Connie Davidson Classic.
Larry & Connie Davidson Classic
FRIDAY’S GAMES
Dothan 56, Vestavia Hills 53
Central-Phenix City 75, Pinson Valley 59
Spring Garden girls , Oxford
Oxford boys 74, Hale County 58
SATURDAY’S SCHEDULE
All boys games
Dothan vs. Hale County, noon
Shades Valley vs. Jacksonville, 1:30 p.m.
Hiram (Ga.) vs. Darlington (Ga.), 3 p.m.
Fairfield vs. Milton (Fla.), 4:30 p.m.
Alexander (Ga.) vs. Central-Phenix City, 6 p.m.
Oxford vs. Bob Jones, 7:30 p.m.
By Joe Medley
East Alabama Sports Today
OXFORD — There comes a point in every season when good teams jell. Oxford’s boys showed signs of getting there Friday night.
The Yellow Jackets responded with a big run after Hale County closed within two points in the third quarter and won in their Larry & Connie Davidson Classic opener, 74-58.
The Yellow Jackets upped to 7-4 against a brutal early schedule, and veteran Oxford coach Joel Van Meter liked what he saw.
“Our team has come together, like, as a whole,” Van Meter said. “It’s not any one particular person. It’s all of them buying in and committing into what we’re trying to do and being a unit that doesn’t split apart.
“That’s what it looks like when we do that.”
Jaylen Alexander led Oxford with 18 points. Marcus Perry, Jr. and Chris Latson added 14 apiece. Jaylin Taylor and Faith Christian transfer Conner RIcherzhagen scored nine apiece, and Jayden Lewis scored eight.
Oxford’s response after Hale County closed to within 37-35 included Alexander’s alley-oop pass to Perry for a dunk. Soon thereafter, Alexander got on the break and dunked.
Oxford’s lead climbed back to 52-39 by the end of the third quarter.
“It was a great response in the third quarter,” Van Meter said. “We came out, a couple of possessions, and all of a sudden, you look up, and an 11-point lead diminishes, and it’s a two-point lead.
“Guys responded.”
Alexander led the way with eight third-quarter points, attacking, getting fouled and hitting all five of his free throws in the quarter.
Perry had nine fourth-quarter points, and Richerzhagen scored all nine of his points on three 3-pointers in the second quarter.
Alexander said Oxford’s jelling traces back to a 36-33 loss to Hewitt-Trussville on Tuesday.
“We took a tough loss the other night,” he said. “We played pretty bad, and we came as a group and talked.
“Overall, our goal is to just move on from that and be desperate on the floor.”
Oxford overcame a 23-point showing by 6-foot-6 Hale County forward Gage Mayfield. He matched Richerzhagen’s game-high three threes.
Omarr Lewis added 15 points, and Zamarion Johnson added 10 points.
Oxford played without senior guard Dashaun Calloway, who’s battling on-going ankle issues.
“He’s rolled his ankle several times,” Van Meter said. “He’s going to the doctor on Monday to let them take another look.
“Hopefully, he’ll be back. We want him back. He really helps us, but he’s done it several times, so they’re going to look at it and see what they need to do.”
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