Donoho hope
- Updated: January 14, 2025
Cameron fills the evening with dunks, and Donoho rolls past Jacksonville Christian with an eye toward Calhoun County Tournament opener, next week’s area rematch with Spring Garden.
By Joe Medley
East Alabama Sports Today
ANNISTON — Looking for an intriguing early-round Calhoun County Tournament game? Try No. 9 seed Donoho vs. No. 8 Ohatchee boys on Monday at 8:30 p.m.
Ohatchee is doing its part to bring the intrigue, standing at 13-7 under first-year head coach and former Sacred Heart assistant Quintarius Hutchison. Donoho is 7–6 against a rugged early schedule, and its 72-42 rout of an 11-win Jacksonville Christian team Tuesday at home is at least worth a “Hmmmmm.”
The Class 1A Falcons sound ready for the challenge.
“This is one of the best teams I’ve seen at Donoho,” senior forward Jordan Cameron said after his 23-point, four-dunk performance against JCA. “Most people think we’re nothing, but this year? This team right here?
“We have some good players on this team.”
Consider an early schedule that includes two losses to Class 4A Anniston and a 60-57 loss in overtime to unbeaten Spring Garden, Class 1A’s top-ranked team in the Alabama Sports Writers Association poll.
Spring Garden won a 56-55 thriller against 3A Ohatchee in the Heflin Holiday Hoops Classic final on Dec. 28.
Donoho has also lost to 4A Munford twice but beat 4A Oak Grove twice.
The Falcons have impressive size and athleticism, more than one might expect for such a small school. Hayes Farrell and Cash Worley, both 6-foot-5, look the part, and the high-flying Cameron can make highlight plays.
Cameron’s dunks Tuesday included a putback slam, alley-oop from Bruce Downey and two fast-break dunks.
The Falcons also have experience with five seniors, all players who have grown up under fifth-year coach Korielle Beavers.
“This is the group that we started with when they were seventh-graders,” Beavers said. “You kind of have to get them young, so this is that seventh-grade group that we’ve kind of molded.
“These seniors have a lot of chemistry. They hang out together off the court. That’s the biggest thing.”
Beavers knows a thing or two about success on the county level. The Saks team he played for as a junior won the 2005 county tournament.
Assistant coach Addesha Collins also played for a county-championship team at Saks, in 2011.
Monday’s Donoho-Ohatchee winner will have to play top seed Oxford in the quarterfinals on Jan. 25, but getting there would amount to making noise in the county tournament. The Falcons feel like they have the best team they’ve brought to county in years.
“Since I’ve been here, I believe so,” Beavers said. “It’s been a process, but I believe it really is, We have some alumni that’s been around here a long time. They feel the same way.”
Cameron’s performance Tuesday included two 3-pointers, and Ryan Crawford added 12 points.
Jesse Gannaway paced JCA with 20 points, including two 3-pointers, despite foul troubles that kept him out most of the second quarter.
The victory puts Donoho at 3–1 in 1A, Area 12, setting up an area rematch at Spring Garden on Jan. 21 … one night after the Falcons’ county clash with Ohatchee.
“We just want to put our best foot forward and see what happens,” Beavers said. “County is all about the fun, seeing old friends. I’ve got people I played with coaching, so it’s just good to see them.
“(Winning a game) would mean the world. Like I’ve told them, it’s a possibility that we can go out there and do something, so just stay together and keep believing.”
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