Calhoun County, AL – Wednesday basketball: Anniston boys refocus after loss at White Plains, jumps on Munford early and cruises to area win; Anniston girls roll, Piedmont’s girls fall in Georgia
BOYS GAMES
Anniston 58, Munford 35
Piedmont 57, Bremen (Ga.) 43
GIRLS GAMES
Anniston 75, Munford 6
Bremen (Ga.) 54, Piedmont 33
By Al Muskewitz
One day really did make a difference. The Anniston basketball team looked a completely different team in its 58-35 victory over Munford Wednesday night from the one that lost at White Plains the night before.
The Bulldogs scored 21 points over the first three quarters in their White Plains game. They had 20 in the first quarter against the Lions after jumping out 17-0 and had a 30-5 lead after a Javen Croft dunk midway through the second quarter.
“We had more effort on defense, we played way harder,” junior guard Jacorey Lane said. “Coach said we had to pick each other up and play better and play all together. We did that. We played much better today.”
“Last game we weren’t locked in like we were supposed to be,” added senior forward Javen Croft, who had eight in the first 30. “We had something to prove from that last game. We were all mad about that last game and said we weren’t going to let that happen again, so we came in ready to go. We were all connected. We took ownership, had accountability.”
Bulldogs coach Torry Brown talked about external factors influencing the Bulldogs’ play Tuesday night. They played through those factors Wednesday and also didn’t wait until the second half to plug in their press in an effort to avoid early foul trouble on the road.
They also shot it better. They were 4-of-24 from 3-point range against White Plains with three of their makes coming in the fourth quarter. They hit three in the first eight and a half minutes Wednesday. They were 5-of-20 from the line against the Wildcats, but hit five of their first seven against the Lions.
“Last night we didn’t start aggressively or pressing or anything like that; tonight we started pressing and generally that makes the kids more aggressive; that was the only difference, in my opinion,” Brown said. “We talked about refocusing our energy where it needs to be. The kids came out and played hard today. We were still spotty in spots, but all in all you’ll take it.”
Croft led the Bulldogs with 11 points, 13 rebounds and three blocked shots. Isaiah Smith broke loose for 10 and three others had at least seven points.
The Lions, installed as the No. 4 seed in the big schools bracket of Talladega County Tournament Wednesday night, picked up the pace in the second half. B.J. Anderson scored 13 of his team-high 15 points in the second half.
MUNFORD – Demetrius Norwood 1 0-0 2, Sylvester Smith 2 3-6 7, Keyshawn Castleberry 2 0-0 5, Alex Petty 0 0-0 0, Lathan Stephens 0 0-0 0, B.J. Anderson 3 9-19 15, Austin Wynn 0 0-2 0, Kelby Tucker 0 0-2 0, Javion White 3 0-0 6. Totals 11 12-29 35.
ANNISTON – Jacorey Lane 3 1-2 8, Devin Coleman 3 1-2 7, Kyron Brown 1 0-0 2, Jayden Lewis 0 0-0 0, Isaiah Allen 3 3-3 10, Jace Roberson 3 0-1 8, Delroy Francis 2 1-4 5, Javen Croft 5 1-2 11, Malik Bailey 1 1-2 4, Kenneth Price 1 0-0 3, Hezekiah Harris 0 0-0 0. Totals 22 8-16 68.
Munford 3 9 11 12 – 35
Anniston 20 12 10 16 – 58
3-point goals: Munford 1 (Castleberry); Anniston 6 (Lane, Allen, Roberson 2, Bailey, Price). Total fouls: Munford 14, Anniston 15. Officials: Caldwell, Tillery, Richardson.
GIRLS GAMES
ANNISTON 75, MUNFORD 6: Akayla Perry scored 21 points, Tykeria Smith had 19 and Jayda Fomby 16 as the Lady Bulldogs ran over from the Lady Lions.
Anniston scored the first seven points of the game, Amari Carlisle got Munford on the board coming out of a time out and then the Lady Bulldogs ran off 38 straight points to build a 47-4 halftime lead. Smith had 18 of her points in the run.
The dominance continued in the second half as the Lady Dawgs held Munford scoreless until the final minute of the game.
MUNFORD – Jamya Sistrunk 0 0-0 0, Breanna Hailes 1 0-2 2, Alys Mosley 0 0-0 0, Ashtyn Bishop 0 0-0 0, Jariyah Gladden 0 0-0 0, Zakiyah Threatt 0 0-0 0, Amari Carlisle 1 0-0 2, Faith Jacobs 0 0-1 0, Fantaza Calhoun 1 0-4 2, Laina Quarles 0 0-0 0, Lauryn Brewster 0 0-0 0. Totals 3 0-7 6.
ANNISTON – Layla Tyus 3 1-2 7, Akayla Perry 7 4-4 21, Jill Borgrud 1 0-0 2, Matasia Truss 1 0-0 2, Saniya Spinks 0 0-0 0, Jada Fomby 8 0-2 16, Kayah Spinks 0 0-0 0, Jenayzia Oliver 0 0-0 0, Eleah McCoy 1 0-0 3, Tykeria Smith 8 3-8 19, Kiara Thomas 1 2-5 4, Tamika Foster 0 1-2 1. Totals 30 11-23 75.
Munford 2 2 0 2 – 6
Anniston 20 27 14 14 – 75
3-point goals: Anniston 4 (Perry 3, McCoy). Total fouls: Munford 17, Anniston 13. Officials: Caldwell, Tillery, Richardson.
BREMEN 54, PIEDMONT 33: The Lady Blue Devils came out hot, hit four 3-pointers in the first quarter and never lost the lead.
PIEDMONT – Armoni Perry 0 0-0 0, Ava Pope 1 0-0 2, Josie Young 1 0-0 2, Rylie Anne Holbrooks 0 0-0 0, Jaycee Glover 0 0-0 0, Lele Ridley 7 1-4 16, Cayla Brothers 1 1-2 3, Melanie Studdard 0 0-0 0, Jenna Duke 0 0-0 0, Carson Young 3 1-2 7, Gracie Naugher 1 0-0 3, Morgan Studdard 0 0-0 0, Hannah Kate Barber 0 0-0 0. Totals 14 3-8 33.
BREMEN – Danilyn Sheats 0 3-5 3, Annabelle Langley 2 1-2 6, Jayda Smith 5 0-0 12, Mary House 8 1-1 20, Marley Derringer 3 0-0 6, Mattie Johnson 0 0-0 0, Brianna Muldoon 0 0-0 0, Copeland Hardie 0 0-0 0, Terrell 0 0-0 0, Shelby Underwood 3 1-4 7. Totals 21 6-12 54.
Piedmont 7 7 10 9 – 33
Bremen 19 9 20 8 – 54
3-point goals: Piedmont 2 (Ridley, Naugher); Bremen 6 (Langley, Smith 2, House 3). Total fouls: Piedmont 7, Bremen 6.
County Tournaments
Spring Garden’s girls and Sand Rock’s boys were installed as the top seeds in the Cherokee County Tournament that begins at the Gadsden State-Cherokee Arena Jan. 19.
The Talladega girls and Sylacauga boys are the top seeds in the Big Schools bracket of the Talladega County Tournament that opens Monday. Childersburg’s boys and girls swept the top seeds in their respective Small Schools bracket.
The big schools and small schools will play to determine bracket champions with the two winners meeting for their respective Super Championship Jan. 21.
The Calhoun County Tournament opens Friday at Jacksonville State with three games starting at 4:30 p.m.
