JACKSONVILLE — Alexandria falls to Madison Academy in NE Regional semifinals, but turnaround after New Year marks the Valley Cubs’ season.
By Joe Medley
Alexandria’s girls made it to the Northeast Regional for the fourth time ever and first time in seven years. They won a subregional game on the road to get there.
The Valley Cubs’ season might be remembered most for their New Year’s resolution.
“We were just tired of losing,” senior point guard Charlee Parris said.
Parris scored 18 points, but Madison Academy eliminated Alexandria 65-40 in Thursday’s Class 4A Northeast Regional semifinals in Pete Mathews Coliseum.
Madison Academy (31-2) advanced to the regional final and will play Plainview on Feb. 19 12:30 p.m.
Alexandria finished 14-17, but 10 of the Valley Cubs’ victories came after Jan. 1.
That Alexandria improved after New Year should come as no shock. Several of the basketball players also play other sports at the school.
The girls’ golf team won its second state championship last year. The volleyball team has four state titles, and the softball team has two.
All are state-tournament regulars.
All three players who attended Thursday’s postgame news conference — Parris, Allyssa Hunt and Cali Hess — play softball. Parris, a point guard in basketball and catcher in softball, helped the volleyball team to a state-runner up finish in the fall as that team’s libero.
She also cheers.
“These are Alexandria kids,” Alexandria girls’ basketball coach Craig Kiker said. “I’d take any one of them.
“I’m about to be the golf coach. If any one of them wants to play golf, they can come play golf. They’re just competitors.”
The turnaround after Christmas break included an upset by seed over No. 4 Saks in the Calhoun County Tournament. Alexandria held the No. 5 seed.
As Area 12 runner up, the Valley Cubs won their subregional game at Hokes Bluff.
“This is the farthest I’ve ever been, old school or this school,” said Hunt, who transferred from Cleburne County. “I’ve never made it this far (in basketball).
“It’s been a big goal just to make it here.”
Kiker said he had hoped the Valley Cubs would’ve “been more competitive” against Madison Academy, but the season turnaround speaks to the team’s grit.
“There’s not anybody I’d rather be a part of it with than this group,” Kiker said.
Photo gallery by Greg Warren
