OPELIKA —
The Opelika High girls’ basketball team (5-6) split a pair of games last week, losing at LaGrange (48-47) and beating Russell County (64-50).
The Lady Bulldogs travelled to LaGrange, Georgia, last Tuesday to play the Lady Grangers. OHS led for most of the game, stretching its lead to 10 at one point in the second half, but lost by one point in the final seconds. Offensively, Opelika was led by Cherdi Daniels’ 15 points and Naomi Whack’s 14 points.
LaGrange shot 31 free throws in the second half for a total of 43, compared to Opelika’s 16. Despite shooting 29 more free throws, the Lady Grangers only won by one point.
OHS bounced back to defeat Russell County (64-50) last Thursday night. The same two players led Opelika on the offensive end; Whack and Daniels scored 17 and 15 points, respectively.
Head coach Blake Smalley said he believes his team is improving while playing a difficult schedule. The Lady Dogs play Benjamin Russell in the Mainstreet Gym, Friday night at 6 p.m. OHS plays in a tournament Dec. 21 and 22.
Team members inclue Naomi Whack, Inayja Dowell, Shirmetha Pearson, Dasia Keith, Jasmyaine McCloud, Cherdi Daniels, Makayla Jones, Claire Barber, Koree Barber and Monica Whack.
The OHS boys’ basketball team (3-5) lost at LaGrange by eight points (60-52), and beat Russell County 62-61 last week. The boys host Benjamin Russell Friday night (Dec. 15) at 7:30 p.m. in the OHS Mainstreet Gym.
Team members include Kaden Cooper, Jaclarence Perry, Stephen Knight, Tirus Patten, Knox Chase, Caur’dae Wright, De’Andre Harris, Justin Holloway, Trindon Manior, Roman Gagliano, Jaxson Freeman, Mekhiron Brock, Jonathon McAnny, Micah Tring and Jordan Tolbert.
The two teams play home games Jan. 10 against Central, Jan. 13 against Auburn and Jan. 13 against LaFayette.
AHSAA TIDBITS
The Alabama High School Athletic Association announced a five-year partnership with the city of Oxford, Choccolocco Park and Jacksonville State University to host the softball and baseball championships. The new agreement comes one year after Oxford and Jacksonville State hosted the AHSAA Softball and Baseball Championships at Choccolocco Park and the Jacksonville State University baseball field.
Oxford replaces Montgomery as home of the AHSAA softball and baseball championships. The capital city did not want to update Lagoon Park to fit the needs of the AHSAA softball championship tournament. As for baseball, MLB, who now runs the minor leagues, would not adjust the Montgomery Biscuits’ baseball schedule so the tournament could be played.
The AHSAA moved the baseball and softball tournaments to Oxford last season after issues with Montgomery.
SSHS MIKE GLISSON RESIGNS
Smiths Station High School football coach Mike Glisson informed me he resigned as head football coach last week. The Lee County Board of Education approved the resignation at its recent board meeting.
Glisson resigns after five seasons as head coach, compiling a 15-35 overall record and 5-27 in 7A Region 2.
Smiths Station joins several other high schools needing new football coaches. McGill-Toolen Catholic, Westbrook Christian, Cullman and Stanhope Elmore are some of the AHSAA schools looking for a new head football coach. There will be more coaching openings in the coming weeks.
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.