OPINION —
Opelika High School Principal Kelli Fischer confirmed to me via telephone last week that OHS Athletic Director Jamie Williams will retire at the end of his contract on June 1. Fischer did not elaborate on a timeframe for filling the vacancy, nor has Opelika City Schools released an official statement regarding the opening.
Williams was Opelika’s third full time athletic director since the position was created in 2009. Under his tenure, Opelika made the 7A Playoffs in football and soccer. The OHS track and field team participates in the state meet every year, along with individual wrestlers and swimmers.
Basketball
Both Opelika High girls and boys basketball teams were eliminated from the Area Tournament after first-round losses. The Lady Bulldogs’ season ended with a 64-35 loss to Auburn in the opening round at AHS. Freshman Kamora Johnson led with a career-high 22 points, followed by 8 points from Tyra Pitts. Despite graduating several players, 90% of the point production will return. Auburn beat Central 60-50 to wrap up the Area 2 championship.
The Bulldog boys team (20-8) lost to Auburn 62-57 in the opening round of the AHSAA Area 2 tournament in Phenix City last week. The Bulldogs needed a win to earn a 7A AHSAA playoff berth, something that has not happened since becoming Class 7A. Central beat Auburn to win the Area tournament title.
Wrestling
Opelika High wrestling coach David Simpson announced seven wrestlers qualify for the AHSAA State Championship, including two-time state champ Brady Campbell, who earned his third trip to the state meet. The following is a list of OHS wrestlers qualifying for the State Meet:
Girls
144 lbs: Heidi Peralta (runner-up)
120 lbs: Gabby Reese (Champion)
Boys
144 lbs: Trell Anderson (Sectional Champion)
165 lbs: Tommie Johnson (runner-up)
175 lbs: Brady Campbell (Champion)
190 lbs: Brandon Denson (runner-up)
215 lbs: Colt Dickson (4th place)
These wrestlers will compete this weekend, Feb. 14 and 15, at the Von Braun Civic Center in Huntsville.
Tennis
The Opelika High Girls Tennis team beat Glenwood 8-1 to open their season last week. Singles winners included Joanne Smith T (10-2), Addison Bryan (10-5), Avery Massey (11-9), Stella George (10-5) and Abney Massey (10-3). Doubles winners were Avery Massey/E Brown (11-10), A. Bryan/S. George (10-2), and J. Smith T/A. Kemp (10-1).
Soccer
The Opelika boys soccer team lost its season opener 2-0 in Dothan last weekend. The Wolves scored the opening goal with 30 seconds left in the first half and another with 2:50 left in the game.
Baseball
Opelika’s baseball team will host a double-header against Beauregard on Saturday at 11 a.m. at Bulldog Park. Fans can listen to the game, presented by the Orthopaedic Clinic, on FOX Sports the Game 910-1310 AM, foxsportsthegame.com and the free iHeartRadio App. The voice of the Dogs, Van Riggs, will begin the broadcast at 10:45 a.m., with the first pitch at 11 a.m.
Softball
OHS opens the season with a tournament at West Ridge Park, home of the Lady Bulldogs. OHS will host New Tech at West Ridge Park on Feb. 20 and Valley on Feb. 26, with both games starting at 6 p.m.
West Ridge Park upgrades
Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller and the Opelika City Council have approved several upgrades and improvements to West Ridge Park. One of the upgrades includes new LED lights. According to Recreation Director Sam Bailey, the lights will be shipped on Feb. 10 and installed soon after. All the restrooms have been gutted and painted and will have new toilets, urinals and fixtures. Some cosmetic changes have been made in the parking lot, but the playground area is still empty. Fans who enjoyed the shade behind fields 1-4 at the main complex will be shocked to see all the trees have been cut down and removed around the fields.
AREA BASKETBALL
Lee-Scott Academy boys basketball team (24-4) won the Area title by beating rival Glenwood in the Area finals, advancing to the Alabama High School Athletic Association basketball playoffs in their first year as a member school. Junior Haiden “Shooter” Harper won MVP of the tournament, while teamates Parker Wright and Parks Mcgehee made the All-Area Team.
The Warriors defeated Alabama Christian in the first round of the AHSAA 3A basketball playoffs and played Midfield Wednesday in the Final 16 held at Alabama State University. Results were unavailable at press time.
D. Mark Mitchell is the sports director at iHeartMedia and host of “On the Mark” on Fox Sports the Game 910-1319.
