Alexandria, AL – Alexandria’s boys put the defense on Jacksonville, right after Jacksonville does the same to Alexandria.
By Joe Medley
Cleat Forrest brings a defensive spark for Alexandria’s boys, and the Valley Cubs took his cue upon his first action of the season Monday.
Alexandria held Jacksonville to a nine-point third quarter and took control on the way to winning 75-49 in Larry R. Ginn Gymnasium.
Alexandria’s boys (5-1) returned the favor after Jacksonville’s girls (11-3) won the first game of the varsity doubleheader 73-47.
Alexandria coach Will Ginn called the Valley Cubs’ performance “probably our best overall game.”
“It’s mostly because I thought we played a little better defense tonight,” he said. “Part of that is getting Cleat back.”
Forrest, a kicker in football, kicked with an injury to his kicking foot for much of the season. He also just participated in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game on Saturday in Mobile.
“He’s still not quite a hundred percent, as you can tell,” Ginn said, “but he just brings a different toughness to our team.
“It was just him. He just kind of spurred us along.”
Defense generates offense, Alexandria had plenty of that. Quendavion McDowell scored a game-high 22 points to lead four Valley Cubs in double figures. Cole Wheeler hit three 3-pointers on the way to 17 points. Jaylen Henderson added 12, and J.J. Beason’s 10-point night featured three treys.
It was more than enough to overcome 13 points from Jacksonville’s Quinn Weaver and 10 from Zaye English.
“Not good,” Jacksonville coach Tres Buzan said. “We still have a lot of work to do.”
Alexandria led 33-25 at halftime and took control while outscoring the Golden Eagles 21-9 in the third quarter.
“I feel like that should be something we do every game, against every team,” McDowell said. “If we just come with the right energy, the right preparation, we should play like that every single game.”
Girls
JACKSONVILLE 73, ALEXANDRIA 47: Jayci Taylor led three Jacksonville players in double figures with 23 points.
Neveah Nicholson hit four 3-pointers on the way to 17 points, and Alexis Phillips hit three treys while scoring 16 points.
The Golden Eagles led 12-5 after the first quarter and 35-16 at halftime.
“We’ve really stepped into some roles,” Jacksonville coach Corey Mize said. “Some girls have figured out what their roles are. If they’re supposed to attack the basket, they attack the basket. If they’re supposed to help on defense, they help on defense.”
The best news for Alexandria was the return of Alyssa Hunt from a knee injury. She led the Valley Cubs’ with 18 points.
“It’s good to get her back,” Alexandria coach Craig Kiker said. “She’s still got a long way to go to get into shape, but it’s nice to have another scorer out there.”
Charlee Parris added 14.
