OPELIKA —
The OHS Lady Bulldog basketball team (6-7) split two games last week, losing to Lanett (45-13) and beating Benjamin Russell (40-25).
Head coach Blake Smalley was at a loss for words after watching his team score a season-low 13 points while allowing 45 points, saying, “It was just one of those nights, but I know we will bounce back.”
The girls bounced back two days later, beating BRHS 40-25 in the Mainstreet gym inside OHS. Leading scorers included Tyra Pitts, who scored 8 points, and Naomi Whack and Cherdi Daniels, who added 7 points each. Smalley played 13 freshman over 5 minutes apiece in the win over the Lady Wildcats. No question, the more they play the more each improves.
The Lady Dawgs played in a Christmas tournament at Eufaula High School, Wednesday and Thursday. Results were not available at press time.
The Opelika boys’ basketball team (5-5) is in the middle of a three-game win streak, beating Russell County (60-52), Lanett (74-42) and Benjamin Russell (69-64).
Last Thursday, OHS beat Benjamin Russell behind Mekhiron Brocks’s double-double, 18 points and 17 rebounds. DJ Harris followed with 14 points, Isaiah Knight scored 12 points and Trindon Manior added 8 points.
OHS girls and boys return to the court Jan. 3 at Lanett, Jan. 6 at Smiths Station, Jan. 10 at home versus Central and at home hosting Auburn Jan. 13.
WRESTLING
The Opelika wrestling team participated in a tri-match at Phenix City. The following are OHS wrestlers and results: 120 pounds – J. Ambrocio (won), 122 pounds – 132 pounds – B. Wilson (won), 138 pounds – D. Anderson (won) and T. Gaither 152 pounds (won).
The OHS grapplers competed in the Swede Umbach Invitational at Auburn High last weekend. Opelika’s Brady Campbell won the 145-pound weight class with a perfect 3-0 record.
ALABAMA SPORTS WRITERS ALL-STATE FOOTBALL PLAYERS
The ASWA released the 2022 All-State football players for the AHSAA and AISA. The players are chosen by position in each classification. The following local athletes earned All-State.
AHSAA Class 7A first team: WR – Ean Nation, OL – Brayden Joiner, DL – Benton Williams, LB – Klark Cleveland. Second team: LB – Coleman Grandbarry.
Class 5A: Beauregard DB – Kyan Maloy. Honorable mention: RB – Jacori Tarver. Class 1A: Loachapoka RB – Jamaroun Satterwhite, DB – Jamari Payne.
AISA
Lee-Scott dominated Class 3A. Head coach Buster Daniel earned “Coach of the Year” honors after guiding the Warriors to a 12-0 season and winning the Class 3A Championship. The Warriors have several players on the first team All-State despite dominating opponents so bad, six teams decided to speed up the game in the second half by not stopping the game clock.
LSA players: Senior running back George Meyers led the offense with over 1,100 total yards despite only playing in 10 games and rushing only six to eight times a game. Senior linebacker Dalan Bush earned his second straight All-State honors by leading the team in tackles. Senior DB Pete Lanier, junior athlete Andrew Hahn and athlete Jake “Nashville” White.
Placekicker Matt Rolader was named to the second team, and senior DB Quinn Denson was MVP of the All-Star game.
Congratulations to all of the All-State recipients.
MERRY CHRISTMAS
I want to wish all my readers “MERRY CHRISTMAS” and a Happy New Year. Please remember JESUS is the reason we celebrate Christmas. Reach out to someone in need and brighten their life.
The Bulldogs are also playing at Eufaula this week, but results were not available at press time.
D. Mark Mitchell is the sports director at iHeartMedia, host of “On the Mark” Fox Sports the Game 910-1310, co-chair of the Auburn-Opelika Sports Council, chairman of the Super 7 and Dixie Boys Baseball state director.
