Weaver, AL – Thursday girls: Weavers returns from 23-day layoff to score third win of the season, Piedmont, JCA use fast starts to win games
THURSDAY’S GAMES
Cherokee County 80, Cleburne County 10
Handley 42, Callaway (Ga.) 38
Jacksonville Christian 60, Faith Christian 40
Jefferson Christian 40, Ragland 32
Moody 49, Alexandria 46
Piedmont 60, Wellborn 22
Pleasant Valley 52, Cedar Bluff 44
Weaver 51, Saks 41
Horseshoe Bend at Randolph County
Ohatchee at Hokes Bluff
Pell City at White Plains
By Al Muskewitz
Having not played a game since well before Christmas, it was reasonable to think the Weaver girls would be just a bit rusty when they took the floor Thursday night against Saks.
It had been 23 days since the Lady Bearcats last played, but they looked more relaxed than rusty, showed good ball movement at times and led wire-to-wire to score their third win of the season, 51-41.
All three wins have come against the teams they’re seeded ahead of in the upcoming Calhoun County Tournament.
“I’m happy with the way they came out,” Weaver coach Jamie Burns said. “We played hard, we played aggressive, we hustled, we didn’t ever ease up on them, so I was happy about that.
“I felt like there were some times they could have been a little bit greedier, a little more aggressive. I had to remind them in the locker room you’ve got to want this. Nobody shows up and doesn’t want to win and you’ve got to want it more.
“At the end of the game, they did want it more. They played hard, they didn’t give up and they deserved to win. They played well.”
Madison Atchley got the Lady Bearcats (3-13) started with the game’s first bucket and a 3-pointer late in the first quarter. Aaliyah Marks was their leading scorer with 23 points. The freshman had 14 in the second half.
“She did well tonight,” Burns said of Marks. “She has really grown in her game from the beginning of the season.
“She played well. She didn’t let them get in her head. She played mentally tough tonight and that’s what I need her to do every night, and I’ve seen her grow and grow and show more mental toughness with each game.”
Sania Angel, Madison Turner and Alonna Crews kept the Lady Wildcats in it. Angel had a team-high 15 points, while Turner and Crews had 12 each.
SAKS (1-6) – Savannah Walker 1 0-0 2, Deihanna Taylor 0 0-0 0, Sania Angel 6 3-5 15, Madison Turner 6 0-5 12, Alayah Christopher 0 0-2 0, Jada Foster 0 0-0 0, Alonna Crews 6 0-2 12, Camrie Denham 0 0-0 0, Monterria Christopher 0 0-0 0, Kennedy Robinson 0 0-0 0, Lizoria Ferrell 0 0-0 0. Totals 19 3-14 41.
WEAVER (3-13) – Annalynna Canchucaja 0 0-0 0, Erionna Richmond 3 2-9 8, D.J. Gibbs 5 2-8 12, Ellamae Kines 0 0-1 0, Alayia D’Ambrosia 0 0-0 0, Mckenley Davis 0 1-3 1, Aaliyah Marks 9 5-7 23, Madison Atchley 3 0-2 7, Iyanna Wright 0 0-0 0, Josselyn Masaniai 0 0-0 0. Totals 20 10-30 51.
Saks 4 10 12 15 – 41
Weaver 8 13 18 12 – 51
3-point goals: Weaver 1 (Atchley). Fouled out: Turner, Kines. Total fouls: Saks 21, Weaver 17. Officials: Taylor, Merritt, Barber.
PIEDMONT 60, WELLBORN 22: Ava Pope hit four 3-pointers and scored 19 points and Lele Ridley had 14 as the Lady Bulldogs went to 4-0 in the area. Pope also had six assists and five steals, Ridley had seven rebounds and four steals, and Jaycee Glover had four assists and five steals. Anna Odom led Wellborn with 14 points.
WELLBORN (3-14) – Braelyn Bean 0 0-0 0, Anna Odom 6 0-1 14, Taniya Traylor 0 0-0 0, Bentley Bean 0 0-0 0, Destiny Benefield 1 0-0 2, Calla Hayes 1 0-0 2, Gabby Tignor 0 0-0 0, Libby Smith 0 0-2 0, Brooke Singleton 2 0-0 4, Makaiyah Amberson 0 0-0 0, Hannah Grubbs 0 0-0 0, Maci Maxwell 0 0-0 0. Totals 10 0-3 22.
PIEDMONT (10-5) – Armoni Perry 0 0-0 0, Ava Pope 7 1-2 19, Josie Young 3 0-1 8, Rylie Anne Holbrooks 1 0-0 3, Jaycee Glover 2 0-0 4, Lele Ridley 4 6-11 14, Cayla Brothers 3 1-5 7, Melanie Studdard 0 0-0 0, Jenna Duke 0 0-0 0, Carson Young 1 0-0 2, Gracie Haugher 0 0-0 0, Morgan Studdard 1 0-0 3, Hannah Kate Barber 0 0-0 0. Totals22 8-19 60.
Wellborn 6 9 5 2 – 22
Piedmont 13 20 14 13 – 60
3-point goals: Wellborn 2 (Odom 2); Piedmont 8 (Pope 4, J. Young 2, Holbrooks, Mo. Studdard). Rebounds: Piedmont 24 (Ridley 7, Brothers 5). Total fouls: Wellborn 14, Piedmont 9.
JACKSONVILLE CHRISTIAN 60, FAITH CHRISTIAN 40: The Lady Thunder took control of the game with one of their fastest starts of the season, jumping out to a 26-7 lead in the first quarter.
“We just pressed the first quarter really well,” JCA coach Katy Bryant said. “Faith isn’t in our area this year, but they have always been one of our rivals so the team was still excited and motivated to play.”
With the help of their fast start, the Lady Thunder ultimately placed five scorers in double figures. Kara Grace led the way with 13 points and 14 rebounds. Rebekah Carter had 12 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and five steals. Erin Prater had 11 points, six rebounds and five steals. Addy Lee and Kirsten Walker had 11 points apiece.
“This really is a good group of girls,” said Bryant, back on the bench after missing the first half of the season on maternity leave to deliver her second child. “They are fun to be around and play hard.
“You know, so many questioned why I came back this year. They don’t realize I have had the seniors my whole coaching career. They feel like they are my kids, too, and I treat them that way. So, I’m just thankful I get to be back this year.”
FAITH (2-10) – Anna Kate Robertson 1 1-2 5, Ally Folsom 3 8-12 15, Joelle Tillery 0 2-4 2, Emma Shaw 3 1-2 9, Cheyenne Rice 1 0-0 2, Serenity Pace 4 0-0 8, Maya Montgomery 0 0-0 0. Totals 12 12-20 40.
JCA (10-5) – Katie Beth Hudson 1 0-1 2, Addy Lee 4 2-2 11, Rebekah Carter 3 6-8 12, Erin Prater 4 1-2 11, Kara Grace 4 5-12 13, Carlie Chesson 0 0-2 0, Kirsten Walker 5 0-0 11, Riley Sanders 0 0-0 0, Taylor Cash 0 0-3 0, Payten Walker 0 0-2 0. Totals 21 14-30 60.
Faith 7 8 8 17 – 40
JCA 26 9 14 11 – 60
3-point goals: Faith 4 (Robertson, Folsom, Shaw 2); JCA 4 (Lee, Prater 2, Walker). Rebounds: JCA 38 (Grace 14, Carter 8). Total fouls: Faith 20, JCA 13.
