By D. Mark Mitchell
sports columnist
GIRLS
BASKETBALL
The OHS girls basketball team lost 99-100 in double overtime, to John Carroll Catholic at the Sports Arena, in the sub-regional round of the AHSAA 6-A state playoffs.
Yes… 99-100 in double overtime!
The game was one of the best I have ever witnessed. The two teams were tied 82-82 at the end of regulation. After the first four-minute OT, the score was knotted at 91.
John Carroll’s Ally Hall hit the game-winning free throw with 15 seconds left in the second OT.
The Lady Bulldogs had one last chance to win the game, but the last second shot rolled off the rim as the horn sounded.
Neither team led by more than two points and there were eight lead changes in the overtime periods.
The Panthers won the game by connecting 42 of 47 free throws as Opelika was whistled for 37 fouls. Four Lady Bulldog starters fouled out of the game.
Jaylen Snipes scored 26 points to lead Opelika. Senior starter Alexis Sydnor did not play due to an injury.
Despite the loss, Head Coach Devin Booth was pleased with the effort. “I am so proud of our girls. We battled the entire game and left it all on the court. They (John Carroll) are a great team. We played a game and two overtime periods and lost by one. Our effort and heart was second to none.”
OHS finished 18-12, won the area regular season and tournament championship. Congratulations Coach Booth and the Lady Bulldogs!
BOYS
BASKETBALL
The OHS boys basketball team lost 67-48 to Pelham at the sports arena Tuesday night in the sub-regional round of the AHSAA 6-A playoffs.
The Dawgs could not stop Alex Reese, the 6’ 10” four-star center for the Panthers. Reese dominated the undersized Bulldogs, scoring 39 points, including six dunks and grabbed 25 rebounds.
OHS Coach John Wadsworth tried to double team Reese but Panther teammate John Alison nailed 7 of 9 three-pointers. The two combined for 63 of the 67 Pelham points.
Senior Kingston Frazier scored 19 points to lead Opelika. The Bulldogs captured the area championship to earn the right to host the sub-regional game.
WRESTLING
Five Opelika grapplers advanced to the state championship meet after qualifying in the sectional meet. Angelo Farrow, Tory Birdsong, Talik Jackson, Adam Tickal and Callahan Saggus will compete for state championships this weekend at the Braun-Vaughn Civic Center in Huntsville.
GIRLS TENNIS
The OHS girls tennis team defeated Northside High School on Tuesday, 5-4.
Sam Herring (8-2), Emme Levins (8-4) and Sara Hollis Smith T (8-6) won singles matches.
Doubles winners were Herring/ Emma Grace Scullen (8-3) and Levins/Martlynn Grouby (8-8, 7-5).
BOYS TENNIS
The Opelika boys tennis team swept the Northside boys 9-0 on Tuesday. Singles winners were Kevin Lazenby (8-3), Andrew Bizilia (8-1), Scott Carpenter (8-4), Henry Smith T (8-1) and Andrew Goss (8-2).
Doubles winners were Carpenter /Pruitt (8-3) and Smith T/ Jack Slay (8-0).
SOFTBALL
First year head coach Tina Deese and her Lady Bulldog squad opened the season on the road with a 5-3 loss to Central-Clay.
Tatum Jones led the Lady Dawgs at the plate with three hits.
Kimberly May, Elizabeth Weygand and Katie Young added single hits.
The Lady Bulldogs opened their home schedule yesterday against Beauregard. The results were not available at press time.
BASEBALL
OHS varsity baseball team opened the season Monday against Beauregard. The game was called due to rain after the first inning.
Opelika travelled to Phenix City to play Central yesterday.
The game was not complete at press time.
D.Mark Mitchell is sports director for iHeart Media, Alabama Dixie Boys State director and vice president of the A-O Sports Council.