January 17, 2022
By Al Muskewitz
East Alabama Sports Today
Alexandria girls play ‘like we’re supposed to’ early on, rout Saks in County Tournament opener; will be updated
ALEXANDRIA 47, SAKS 10: The Lady Cubs came out in their Calhoun County Tournament opener and played “like we were supposed to play” and that made coach Craig Kiker happy.
They haven’t been doing that lately, Kiker said, so and it was good to see the turnaround.
The Lady Cubs scored the first 10 points of the game, opened a 16-3 lead in the first quarter and led 33-3 at halftime.
“It’s good to get to play a game in here and gain some confidence; that’s kind of where we were,” Kiker said. “We wanted to have a lot of confidence playing in this gym and I thought we did that.
“We came out and played like we were supposed to play early on, which was good because we haven’t done that the last few games; that was a good feeling, too.”
Ashley Phillips led Alexandria with 13 points. Jordyn Walker scored 11. They combined for 10 points in the first quarter.
Phillips has scored 74 points in her last four County Tournament games, including last year’s tourney-opener exhibition created by a first-round COVID forfeit.
“It seems like she’s been playing since I’ve been coaching,” Kiker said. “She just has that experience. I think she’s one of the better guards in the county this year. I don’t know if the stat sheet showed it today o not, but she’s a heck of a player. She knows what we’re trying to do and knows what to tell people where to be. She’s just very valuable to have on the floor.”
The Lady Cubs draw a popular county tournament opponent in the next round, Ohatchee, Wednesday at 6 p.m. It’ll be a classic size vs. speed matchup with Alexandria’s Phillips and Walker vs. Ohatchee’s Jorda Crook and Gracie George.
“We can’t simulate Jorda Crook size-wise or athletically; she’s a heck of a player,” Kiker said. “I think we’ve played Ohatchee about every year in the County Tournament, it’s always a battle. It ought to be two different (styles) going on, but it’ll be a battle.” [**read more]
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