BY D MARK MITCHELL
BY D. MARK MITCHELL
OPINION — Auburn High basketball teams swept the Bulldogs at the Mainstreet gym inside OHS. The Tigers girls beat Opelika 71-24 and the Auburn boys won 60-43 in front of a jammed packed crowd.
The OHS girls and boys basketball teams finished 1-5 in the Area and will travel to Auburn High to play in the Area tournament.
The AHS girls and boys basketball teams finished tied with Central High’s girls and boys for first place in the Area with 5-1 records. The two teams split during the regular season and had to flip a coin to see who hosted the Area tourney and who was the number two seed.
The OHS girls will play Auburn on Friday, Feb. 1, at 6:30 p.m. inside the AHS gym. Smiths Station and Central will play at 5 p.m. in the first game. The two winners advance to the Area finals and the Sub-regional round of the AHSAA basketball playoffs.
Opelika’s boys won their coin toss over Smiths Station for the number three seed and will play Central on Saturday, Feb. 2, at 5 p.m. in the first game of the Area tournament. Auburn will host Smiths Station at 6:30 p.m. in the second game. Like the girls tournament, the two winning teams play for the area title and advance to the Sub-Regionals. The two Area Champs host the Sub-Regional round at home while the second place team travels.
The finals for the girls Area Tournament will be Monday at 6 p.m. and for the boys will be Tuesday at 6 p.m.
OPELIKA WRESTLING
The OHS Wrestling team participated in the Hornet Slam 9 over the weekend. The following are top results for the Bulldogs.
120lbs-Champ. Round 2 – Sam Mock (Smiths Station HS) over John Ambrocio (Opelika HS)
144 lb-Champ. Round 2 – Denarvious Anderson (Opelika HS) over Tristan Cliatt (Smiths Station)
150 lb -1st Place Match – Trace Gaither (Opelika HS) over Cotton Crowell (Gulf Shores)
157 lb- Champ. Round 1 – Brady Campbell (Opelika HS) over Nick Mackey (Russell County)
157 lb -Champ. Round 1 – Josh Lugo (Beauregard HS) over Jordan Peters (Opelika HS)
165 lb -1st Place Match – Tommie Johnson (Opelika HS) over Sawyer Andrews (Auburn)
175 lb-1st Place Match – Recavien Howell (Opelika HS) over Calvin Williams (Callaway)
190 lb- 1st Place Match – Bronson Dubose (Beulah) over Brandon Denson (Opelika HS)
215 lb 1st Place Match – Devin Bragg (Reeltown) over Thomas Fenn (Opelika HS)
285 lb Champ. Round 1 – E`Mauri Smiley (Opelika HS) over Russell Jones (Beulah)
OHS FOOTBALL UPDATE
Football coach Bryan Moore is working around the clock since arriving in Opelika. Coach Moore has a long list of things that he wants to achieve prior to playing the first football game in the fall.
Coach Moore made his first hire, former OHS player and now coach John David Adkins as offensive coordinator. Moore continues to evaluate assistant coaches as he forms his staff, and his is expected to add some new faces on staff over time.
Coach Moore announced the Dogs will play Clay-Chalkville in a spring game in May instead of playing a scrimmage game. Moore has been visiting boosters and business owners in our community so they understand Opelika High athletics appreciate the financial support. Moore’s goal to see all the corporate sponsors and boosters prior to game one in August.
Moore filmed a coaches show with Van Riggs two weeks ago, which is posted on the schools facebook page and social media outlets. During the Fall on Thursdays at noon, Coach Moore is planning to host a one hour lunch at First Baptist Church of Opelika so members of the community can come hear him talk about the team, upcoming games and other topics concerning football. The cost will be $20 per person, which includes lunch. Stay tuned for more details.
Obviously, you can tell Coach Moore is starting on a positive note by opening up his program to the fans, supporters and boosters. As time goes by and his entire family moves to Opelika, expect to see the Moores at many events in our community.
FOOTBALL NEWS
Dadeville High football coach Roger McDonald announced he would step down as head coach. McDonald has enough years in the RSA to retire from public schools and take a job at a private school. I believe Coach McDonald has a plan to continue coaching in this area.
D. Mark Mitchell is the sports director at iHeartMedia, host of “On the Mark” Fox Sports the Game 910-1319, co-chair of the Auburn-Opelika Sports Council, chairman of the Super 7 and Dixie Boys Baseball state director.
