First Wins in Calhoun County

Calhoun County, AL – New head coaches Jones, Buzan get their first victories – Jones in Munford’s OT win over Dohono, Buzan in Jacksonville’s rout of Talladega

BOYS GAMES
Jacksonville 91, Talladega 59
Jacksonville Christian 66, ASD 44
Munford 56, Donoho 55 (OT)
Plainview 58, Oxford 41
Pell City 67, White Plains 33
Weaver 55, Ashville 44

East Alabama Sports Today

Riley Jones could do without all the drama, but as long as his Munford boys basketball team comes out on top in all these close games he can live with them.

The Lions overcome a cold start to beat Donoho in overtime 56-55 Thursday, giving Jones his first win as a head coach.

“It’s a relief, for sure,” he said. “It takes away that fear or just not winning a game your first year as a head coach.”

It was the second straight nailbiter for Jones to start his varsity coaching career. The Lions lost their season to Weaver 42-39 on a three-point play in the final nine seconds.

Javion White was the unlikely hero for the Lions. The senior who just rejoined the team after the football season ended hit a shot from around the free throw line with two seconds left in overtime to give Munford the lead after Drew Williamson hit a 3-pointer to put Donoho on top.

The Falcons had the last shot after White’s bucket, but Isiah Smith’s 3 missed the mark.

The Lions were up nine with about 90 seconds to play in regulation, but Donoho frustrated them with a full-court 1-3-1 defense and used it to get back in the game. Munford had the ball at the end of regulation, but didn’t get a good shot to win.

“I hope they’re all not like this,” Jones said. “If we’re winning, that’s fine; I don’t know if my blood pressure can take that many nailbiters. I’d prefer them not be like that, but if we come out top I’ll cope with it.”

Sylvester Smith and Lathan Stephens led Munford with 19 and 16 points, respectively. Smith scored 14 points in the second half and overtime. B.J. Anderson added 10 points for the Lions, who scored only two points in the first quarter and trailed 17-12 at halftime.

“I was really proud of my guys,” Jones said. “All but three of my varsity players were football players. They were on the football field two weeks ago. Just with such a limited amount of practice time, they competed. We had a terrible start, a terrible first half, honestly, and we came back the second half when we could have laid down.

“I was really proud of how they competed. They just want to win. That’s what it came down to. It was intense. It was a good feeling. I definitely won’t forget this one.”

While the Lions were in their second straight nailbiter, it was Donoho’s second straight overtime game. The Falcons won their opener in OT Monday 60-50 at Tarrant

“They got me having migraines,” Donoho coach Korielle Beavers said. “We’ve got to find a way to close games.”

Williamson led all scorers with 26 points. He scored 19 in the fourth quarter and overtime before fouling out. Sam Johnson (10) and Jordan Cameron (11) also scored in double figures for the Falcons.

Cover photo: Munford’s Sylvester Smith stands ready to defend when Donoho leading scorer Drew Williamson makes his move. (Photo by B.J. Franklin)

DONOHO (1-1) – Jordan Cameron 4 1-3 11, Isiah Smith 2 0-0 6, Rich Goad 1 0-0 2, Drew Williamson 9 5-8 26, Sean Keel 0 0-0 0, Cash Worley 0 0-0 0, Sam Johnson 5 0-1 10. Totals 21 6-12 55.
MUNFORD (1-1) – Demetrius Norwood 2 3-4 7, Sylvester Smith 7 4-7 19, Alex Petty 1 0-1 2, Lathan Stephens 6 2-8 16, B.J. Anderson 5 0-0 10, Javion White 1 0-4 2. Totals 22 9-31 56.

3-point goals: Donoho 7 (Cameron 2, Smith 2, Williamson 3); Munford 3 (Smith, Stephens 2). Fouled out: Williamson, Stephens. Total fouls: Donoho 18, Munford 16.

JACKSONVILLE 91, TALLADEGA 59: Tres Buzan saw from a distance last year what the Jacksonville juggernaut looked like when it had all cylinders working. He has a front row seat for it this year and up close and personal it’s quite a sight to see.

The Golden Eagles shot 60 percent from the floor, had some incredible ball movement and placed four scorers in double figures to give Buzan his first victory as the caretaker of the defending 4A state champions. They lost their first two games to the reigning Georgia 1A Private state runner-up and an Alabama 7A semifinalist.

“It’s always good to get a win, I don’t care who it is,” Buzan said. “Any coach, at the start of the season, you’re looking for that first win. The guys were great and they competed and I’m really proud of them.

“It’s definitely good to get that first win. Anybody who lays eyes on our schedule knows the competition we’re seeing early. We’ve been talking about this for months, about the start and testing the waters and seeing what we’re really made of. It’s been good for us, not always coming out with a win, but I think finding out what were made of and finding some weaknesses early on things we can improve on.”

The Golden Eagles were the sharpest they’ve been this year. They hit 31 of 51 shots from the field, 11 of 21 from 3-point range, created 17 turnovers and distributed 20 assists. Every player who got in the game scored.

South Alabama signee John Broom gave them a full box score with 23 points, seven rebounds and eight assists. Devin Barksdale had 17 points, hitting all four of his 3-point attempts; Caden Johnson had 16 points and nine rebounds, and Cam Johnson had 15 points.

“Early on you’re trying to find a rhythm , you’re trying to find your game,” Buzan said. “Even though it’s guys who have played together for years, every season’s a new team and we’re just trying to find our rhythm as a team. I think tonight was a step in the right direction and it was really fun to watch.

“We played our game tonight, the way we want to play. It’s the first time this season we felt like for four quarters we played our style; that was good to see. It’s one step closer to catching the groove we need to be in, but we’re by no means close to being who we can potentially be.”

TALLADEGA – Najeh Swain 8-15 3-6 22, Roderick Jones 5-18 1-5 11, Terrance Swain 3-7 4-7 10 , Dontavious Cochran 2-4 0-0 5, Jaden Townsel 1-1 0-0 3, Kendric Wilson 0-2 2-2 2, Lecory Wallace 1-2 0-0 2, Jaylyn Lawson 1-3 0-0 2, Jaquintez Garrett 1-7 0-2 2, Kenny Jackson 0-2 0-0 0, Riandis Jones 0-0 0-0 0, Patrick Whiteson 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 22-63 10-22 59.
JACKSONVILLE (1-2) – John Broom 7-11 5-7 23, Devin Barksdale 4-5 5-6 17, Caden Johnson 7-9 2-6 16, Cam Johnson 6-12 2-2 15, Jaliek Long 3-7 0-0 8, Dee Prothro 2-2 2-3 6, Ethan Duke 1-3 1-2 3, Imoree Young 1-1 0-0 2, Jaquan Ervin 0-1 1-4 1. Totals 31-51 18-30 91.

3-point goals: Talladega 5-20 (N. Swain 3-5, Ro. Jones 0-6, Cochran 1-3, Townsel 1-1, Garrett 0-4, Whiteson 0-1); Jacksonville 11-21 (Broom 4-5, Barksdale 4-4, Cd. Johnson 0-1, Cm. Johnson 1-5, Long 2-4, Duke 0-2). Rebounds: Talladega 43 (Ro. Jones 8, N. Swain 7); Jacksonville 38 (Cd. Johnson 9, Broom 7). Total fouls: Talladega 19, Jacksonville 18.

WEAVER 55, ASHVILLE 44: The Bearcats finally got off to a quick start, they held Ashville to one point in the third quarter and parlayed it all into their second victory of the season.

Armane Burton scored 11 points in the first quarter mostly on putbacks and Tristan Brown went 6-for-6 from the free throw line as the Bearcats scored 17 points and took a 17-13 lead. The Bearcats created a lot of live ball turnovers and held the Bulldogs to just one free throw in the third quarter to pull away from a game that was tied at the half.

Brown finished with 23 points and Burton had 15 (all in the first half).

ASHVILLE – Walker Griffith 3 0-0 6, Braxton Nall 1 0-0 2, Dylan Palmer 6 0-0 13, Ryan Harris 2 0-0 4, J.B. Potter 3 4-6 12, Dalton Rice Thompson 0 0-0 0, Parker Smith 0 0-0 0, Nate Huckbay 2 0-0 4, Tristian Dickinson 1 0-0 3, Austin Dicker 0 0-0 0. Totals 18 4-6 44.
WEAVER (2-1) – Tristan Brown 6 9-11 23, Elijah Smith 0 0-0 0, Jeffrey Miles 2 0-0 4, Dawson Brooks 2 0-0 4, Jackson Williams 1 3-5 5, Zack Garner 2 0-2 4, Armane Burton 6 1-1 15. Totals 19 13-19 55.

3-point goals: Ashville 4 (Palmer, Potter 2, Dickinson); Weaver 4 (Brown 2, Burton 2). Total fouls: Ashville 18, Weaver 11. Officials: Howell, Lackey, Batey.

PELL CITY 67, WHITE PLAINS 33: Jaden Coleman scored 20 points and the Panthers held White Plains under 40 points for the second game in a row.

White Plains hit four 3-pointers in the first quarter and grabbed a 16-15 lead, but scored only 17 points the rest of the game.

WHITE PLAINS (0-2) – Dylan Barksdale 2 2-3 7, Paul Laube 2 0-2 6, Z.J. Rosario 1 0-6 2, Silas Hines 1 0-0 3, Josh Wheeler 2 0-0 5, Coleman Ray 0 0-0 0, Cam Almon 0 0-0 0, Daniel Williams 2 1-4 5, Luke Bussey 2 0-0 5, Carter Johnson 0 0-0 0. Totals 12 3-15 33.
PELL CITY – Collin McCombs 0 0-0 0, Caleb Groce 5 1-2 11, Jaden Coleman 7 5-7 20, Jayden Young 1 0-2 2, Jarek Burroughs 1 1-2 3, T.J. Cooper 1 1-2 4, Braeden Brewis 3 2-4 8, Garrison Hildebrant 3 2-3 8, Miles Snow 2 6-10 11. Totals 23 18-32 67.

3-point goals: White Plains 6 (Barksdale, Laube 2, Hines, Wheeler, Bussey); Pell City 3 (Coleman, Cooper, Snow). Fouled out: Bussey, Johnson. Total fouls: White Plains 27. Pell City 18. Officials: Miller, Burdette, Murray.

PLAINVIEW 58, OXFORD 41: It was too much Landon White and not enough second half for the young Yellow Jackets.

Plainview’s White led all scorers with 22 points and two others scored in double figures. White scored 16 during a second half in which the Bears outscored Oxford 29-16 after the Yellow Jackets used a big second quarter to get within four at halftime.

T.J. Allen led Oxford with 14 points. He hit three 3-pointers in the second quarter.

OXFORD (1-2) – Jaylen Alexander 1 0-0 2, Caleb Sanders 0 0-0 0, Dashaun Calloway 3 0-0 7, T.J. Allen 4 3-3 14, Chase Truitt 0 0-0 0, Jordan Kelley 1 0-0 2, Brock Reaves 2 0-0 6, Jayden Lewis 0 1-2 1, Marcus Perry 3 0-0 9, Elijah Malone 0 0-0 0, Anthony Davis 0 0-0 0. Totals 14 4-5 41.
PLAINVIEW – Joseph Hutcheson 0 0-0 0, Owen Wilborn 0 0-1 0, Dylan Haymon 4 0-0 10, Landon White 10 2-2 22, Ben Chandler 0 0-0 0, Caleb Clines 0 0-0 0, Luke Smith 5 2-2 14, Sawyer Fraley 0 0-0 0, Jonah Williams 3 0-0 8, Ty Griggs 1 0-0 3, Austin Anderson 0 0-0 0. Totals 23 4-5 58.

3-point goals: Oxford 9 (Calloway, Allen 3, Reaves 2, Perry 3); Plainview 8 (Haymon 3, Smith 2, Williams 2, Anderson). Total fouls: Oxford 14, Plainview 7.

JCA 66, ASD 44: Ethan Fair had 21 points and five steals, Cam Moses scored 13 points and Cooper Bates had nine points and eight boards as the Thunder won its season opener.

Girls

GIRLS GAMES
Ashville 48, Weaver 28
Fort Payne 58, Anniston 36
Jacksonville Christian 58, ASD 16
Plainview 64, Oxford 38
Ranburne 45, Piedmont 43
Talladega 39, Jacksonville 24

RANBURNE 45, PIEDMONT 43: Briley Merrill hit one of two free throws to give Ranburne its two-point lead and held on as Piedmont missed two shots in the closing seconds that would’ve tied it.

Merrill finished with 19 points to lead the Lady Bulldogs. Aubrey Anglin scored 12 on four 3-pointers.

Ava Pope led Piedmont with 21 points and eight rebounds. Lele Ridley had 10 points and nine rebounds.

Piedmont has had one of each in this week’s 2-1 start – a blowout win, a win at the buzzer and a nailbiter loss.

RANBURNE – Lilly Rice 0 0-0 0, Autumn Lovvern 1 0-0 2, Autumn Phillips 0 2-2 2, Briley Merrill 5 8-14 19, Aubree Anglin 4 0-0 12, Maranda Ralston 0 0-0 0, Brylee Bailey 2 1-3 5, Jadie Phillips 2 1-2 5. Totals 14 12-21 45.
PIEDMONT (2-1) – Armoni Perry 0 0-0 0, Ava Pope 6 7-8 21, Jasie Young 0 0-0 0, Rylie Anne Holbrooks 0 0-0 0, Jaycee Glover 0 1-2 1, Lele Ridley 4 1-5 10, Cayla Brothers 1 0-2 2, Melanie Studdard 1 2-4 4, Carson Young 0 0-0 0, Gracie Naugher 2 1-2 5. Totals 14 12-23 43.

3-point goals: Ranburne 5 (Merrill, Anglin 4); Piedmont 3 (Pope 2, Ridley). Fouled out: Brothers. Total fouls: Ranburne 20, Piedmont 16.

JCA 58, ASD 16: Rebekah Carter got her season off to a good start with 17 points, four rebounds and five steals to lead the Lady Thunder in their season opener. Kara Grace  added 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting. Peyton Walker scored six points (all in the second quarter) and grabbed seven rebounds ,and Katie Beth Hudson grabbed eight rebounds.

JACKSONVILLE CHRISTIAN (1-0) – Katie Beth Hudson 1 0-0 2, Addy Lee 2 1-2 5, Rebekah Carter 7 3-6 17, Erin Prater 1 0-0 2, Kara Grace 6 1-4 13, Carlie Chesson 1 0-0 3, Kirsten Walker 3 0-0 7, Riley Sanders 1 1-2 3, Payten Walker 3 0-0 6. Totals 25 6-14 58.
ASD – Aiyana Fanning 2 1-2 5, Kamara McCurdy 1 0-2 2, Tusi Silas 1 0-2 2, Lily Tucker 0 0-2 0, Jaycee Tucker 1 0-0 2, Melika Washington 0 1-2 1, Dejia Ware 0 0-0 0, Alyssa Thomas 0 0-0 0, Carly Ortega 0 0-0 0, DeShauna Wallace 2 0-0 4. Totals 7 2-10 16.

3-point goals: JCA 2 (Chesson, K. Walker). Rebounds: JCA 37 (Hudson 8, P. Walker 7, Prater 6). Total fouls: JCA 9, ASD 12.

FORT PAYNE 58, ANNISTON 36: Meredith Jackson hit three 3-pointers in the first quarter and the Lady Wildcats had three players who outscored Anniston’s team. Brylon Gray led Fort Payne with 16 points, Jackson had 15 and Lydia Crane 13. Tykeria Smith led Anniston with 12 points.

ANNISTON – Layla Tyus 2 0-2 4, Akayla Perry 2 1-5 7, Matasia Truss 0 0-0 0, Jada Fomby 2 0-0 4, Serena Hardy 2 2-4 7, Janaya Watters 1 0-0 2, Tykeria Smith 4 4-4 12, Kiara Thomas 0 0-2 0. Totals 13 7-17 36.
FORT PAYNE (2-1) – Avery Chadwick 2 3-6 7, Anna Kate Akins 2 1-4 5, Meredith Jackson 5 1-2 15, Lydia Crane 6 1-3 13, Amaiya O’Neal 0 0-1 0, Brylon Gray 7 1-2 16, Libby Redden 1 0-0 2. Totals 23 7-18 58.

3-point goals: Anniston 3 (Perry 2, Hardy); Fort Payne 5 (Jackson 4, Gray). Technical fouls: Hardy. Fouled out: Crane. Total fouls: Anniston 21, Fort Payne 16. Officials: Gifford, Lewis, Dafron.

TALLADEGA 39, JACKSONVILLE 24: Trinity Webb put on a show with 15 points, 13 rebounds, six steals and five blocked shots to lead the Lady Tigers. Ashley Grant led Jacksonville with 15. Dee Prothro grabbed 10 rebounds.

TALLADEGA – Trinity Webb 6-13 3-7 15, Houston Goins 5-12 0-2 12, Kailynn Williams 3-8 0-0 6, Makayla White 2-5 0-2 4, Keyoshia Garrett 1-1 0-0 2, Zae Cunningham 0-6 0-0 0, Justasia Pointer 0-0 0-0 0, Jakiyah Scott 0-0 0-0 0, Jaleah Spencer 0-0 0-0 0, Destiny Twymon 0-0 0-0 0, Jakeria Wilson 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 17-45 3-11 39.
JACKSONVILLE – Ashley Grant 5-12 1-2 15, Halaina Lozano 1-10 0-0 3, Ontarriah Braxton 1-4 1-2 3, Alexis Phillips 1-7 0-0 2, DeAsia Prothro 0-6 1-6 1, Mya Swain 0-2 0-0 0, Olivia Rowan 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 8-42 3-10 24.

3-point goals: Talladega 2-8 (Webb 0-2, Goins 2-5, Williams 0-1); Jacksonville 5-26 (Grant 4-9, Lozano 1-10, Braxton 0-2, Phillips 0-3, Swain 0-2). Rebounds: Talladega 42 (Webb 13, Cunningham 6); Jacksonville 34 (Prothro 10, Phillips 6). Total fouls: Talladega 9, Jacksonville 13.