Opelika High School wrestling coach Jim Davis kept his team busy last week. The grapplers hosted Wetumpka, traveled to Seale for duals matches against Russell County and Northview and ended the week with a visit to Harris County for the “King of the County Tournament.”
Opelika wrestled Wetumpka’s varsity, junior varsity and middle school teams in the Mainstreet Gym last Tuesday. The Indians swept the Bulldogs 48-30 in the varsity match and 51-30 in the junior varsity match. Five Opelika wrestlers pinned their opponents earning wins: Bevin Williams, James Dawson, Jordan Clark, Timmy Tolbert and Trint Vaughns. The junior varsity and middle school teams picked up wins from Ben Owens, Trace Gaither, Logan Sheridan, Keon Brazier and Trey Coleman.
Opelika beat Russell County 48-24 and Northview 54-27 in Seale last week, one day prior to the “King of the County Tournament.” The two-day tournament at Harris County High School featured 16 total teams from Alabama and Georgia. Each team could compete in the 14 weight classes but Opelika only took seven wrestlers, Dawson (co-captain) – 220 pounds, Williams (co-captain) – 195 pounds, Trint Vaughns – 195 pounds, Tolbert (co-captain) – 170 pounds, Eli Schwenk – 132 pounds, Williams – 152 pounds and Jason Shoemaker – 106 pounds. Four Opelika wrestlers received medals: Dawson, Bevin, Vaughns and Tolbert. The four went 5-1 to earn second place and help the Bulldogs finish sixth out of 16 teams.
Opelika will host Central and Shades Valley at 3 p.m. Thursday in the Mainstreet Gym.
BASKETBALL
The Lady Bulldog basketball team improved to 11-2 after beating Smiths Station (68-17), Carver (55-43) and LaFayette (66-32) last week. Coach Devin Booth, coming off a Final Four appearance last season, saw her team destroy Smiths Station on the road. Haley Sanders scored a game-high 20 points, Ananda Hughley scored 14, with Kaitlyn Bryant and Claire Worth scoring 12 and 10 points, respectively.
Opelika hosted Carver at the OHS Sports Arena last week. The Wolverines led 14-7 after the first quarter. Booth’s team never trailed after the opening quarter, Claire Worth scored 14 points with Ananda Hughley and Quala Walton adding 10 points apiece. The week ended with a 66-32 win over LaFayette at Opelika. Bryant scored 18 points while Sanders added 16 points.
The Opelika boys basketball team lost three games last week, Smiths Station (60-53), Carver (72-60) and LaFayette (58-55). The Bulldogs could not overcome a slow start at Smiths Station. Trey Boone scored a game-high 19 points, Taye Fields scored 12 and Brandon Howard added nine. Carver traveled to Opelika after winning a 4-point game over the Bulldogs in Montgomery. Another slow start doomed the Dawgs. Fields and Jared Willis scored 17 and 16 points each.
Wadsworth’s team ended the week with a 3-point loss to Lafayette at home. Lafayette outscored Opelika by 10 points in the fourth quarter to earn the win. Boone scored 11 with Grady Bynum, Fields and Jared Willis, scoring 10, 9 and 8 points respectively.
BLACKMON SIGNS FOOTBALL SCHOLARSHIP
Congratulations to Opelika senior and soon-to-be graduate Cade Blackmon for singing a football scholarship with Birmingham Southern. Blackmon inked his scholarship this morning at the high school.
I hope you all have a MERRY CHRISTMAS! Please remember why we celebrate Christmas.
D. Mark Mitchell is sports director for iHeart Media, Alabama Dixie Boys State director and vice president of the A-O Sports Council.
Opelika wrestling sees mixed results last week
