Heflin Hoops Classic
- Updated: December 28, 2024
Big 3-pointer just before halftime propels Billingsley to MVP performance, and Central-Clay’s girls repeat as tournament champions.
Heflin Holiday Hoops Tournament
THURSDAY
Girls
Piedmont 48, Randolph County 24
Central-Clay 41, Ranburne 38
Ohatchee 56, White Plains 22
Cleburne County 47, Weaver 39
Boys
Central-Clay 49, White Plains 39
Spring Garden 77, Weaver 64
Ohatchee 63, Ranburne 38
Faith Christian 67, Cleburne County 61
FRIDAY
Girls
Ranburne 45, Randolph County 6
White Plains 37, Weaver 28
Central-Clay 40, Piedmont 34
Ohatchee 45, Cleburne County 27
Boys
Weaver 60, White Plains 46
Cleburne County 61, Ranburne 48
Spring Garden 58, Central-Clay 55
Ohatchee 69, Faith Christian 43
SATURDAY
Girls
Randolph County 40, Weaver 10
Piedmont 44, Cleburne County 12
Ranburne 62, White Plains 25
Championship
Central-Clay 57, Ohatchee 39
Boys
White Plains 63, Ranburne 22
Central-Clay 69, Faith Christian 37
Weaver 81, Cleburne County 72
Championship
Spring Garden 56, Ohatchee 55
By Joe Medley
East Alabama Sports Today
HEFLIN — Central-Clay’s girls needed a spark, and Ramyah Billingsley provided it in Saturday’s Heflin Holiday Hoops Classic final.
Her catch-and-shoot 3-pointer at the halftime buzzer answered an Ohatchee rally, and the Vols took control in the second half to win 57-39.
Billingsley tied teammate Mia Lindsey’s team-high 15 points while earning most-valuable-player honors, and Central-Clay (10-3) repeated as tournament champion.
“It makes me feel really good,” Billingsley said. “I love my team, and to get this, it just feels good.”
Her biggest bucket came just before halftime.
Ohatchee had just scored back-to-back buckets to cut Central-Clay’s lead to 16-12, and the Vols had one last possession. A ball out of bounds turned the possession into an inbounds play with three seconds left.
Billingsley got the opportunity in the left corner and splashed the 3-pointer for a 19-12 halftime lead.
“That brought a spark,” Central-Clay coach Tyrell Bishop said. “She was kind of down because her shot wasn’t falling, so that gave her a little confidence going into the half.”
Central-Clay also got nine points from Mariah Brock and eight from Zykeria Jeflin.
Ohatchee (8-3) got 11 points apiece from Payten Walker, Emily Riddle and Greenlee Orman.
The Indians reached the Heflin Hoops Classic final for the first time, and Central-Clay gave them a look they can expect in area play and in the Calhoun County Tournament, which starts Jan. 18.
“Tonight, we definitely got some good experience against some speed,” Ohatchee coach Aaron Jackson said. “Central-Clay is pretty good.
“They get after it, so it’s good for us to get a look at that going into area play, because we’ve got Piedmont next week. Then, it’s back into Westbrook (Christian) and Glencoe. Pretty much all three of those teams are real similar to what we just saw.”
Other girls’ games
RANDOLPH COUNTY 40, WEAVER 10: Anna Grace Henderson scored a game–high 14 points to lead Randolph County to victory. Lizzie Milam added 10 points, including two 3-pointers. Hannah Parmer added eight points.
Brenley Russell led Weaver with five points.
PIEDMONT 44, CLEBURNE COUNTY 12: Both teams went without their head coaches. Piedmont coach Shane Morrow was out for a death in the family, and Cleburne County’s Todd Gable had to go home with back problems.
Two assistant coaches, Piedmont’s Riley Jones and Cleburne County’s Jordan Sides, took the reins. Jones coached Piedmont in its victory over Randolph County on Thursday.
Piedmont’s Amiyah Thomas scored a game-high 22 points, including three 3-pointers. The Bulldogs got six points apiece from Carson Young and Melanie Studdard, with Young hitting two 3-pointers.
Cleburne County’s Hannah Turley scored seven points.
RANBURNE 62, WHITE PLAINS 25: Ranburne’s Brylee Bailey scored a team-high 21 points, and Maranda Ralston added 11. Brooke Tumlin hit a team-high two 3-pointers on the way to eight points.
Brooksly Theilker scored all 25 of White Plains’ points. She hit two 3-pointers.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login