OPELIKA —
The Opelika High School girls and boys basketball seasons ended with first round losses in their area tournaments.
The Lady Bulldogs’ (10-15) season ended after a 66-53 loss to Auburn in the first round of the area tournament in Phenix City. OHS was led on the offensive end by Naomi Whack’s 22 points and Cherdi Daniels’ nine points. Head coach Blake Smalley played several freshmen and sophomores this season, which should help next year’s team improve.
Opelika’s varsity boys basketball team (9-12) ended its season after losing to Central (72-55) in the opening round of the area tournament last Thursday at the AHS gymnasium.
The Auburn girls and Central boys won their area tournament championships. The Central girls and Auburn boys advanced to the playoffs by finishing second in the area tournament.
OPELIKA WRESTLING PLACES THIRD IN SOUTH SUPER SECTIONAL
The OHS wrestling team finished third (165 points) last weekend at the South Super Sectional at Montgomery’s Garrett Coliseum. The following Opelika grapplers finished in the top two: Brady Campbell (39-1, won the 145-pound class by pinning Auburn’s Maciej Paszek in the finals). In the 113-pound weight class, Deandre Manora Jr. placed second after losing a 2-0 decision to Auburn’s Josh Adams.
The State Championship meet will be in Huntsville’s Von Braun Civic Center, Feb. 16 through 18.
PERALTA WINS AAU WRESTLING TITLE
OHS student-athlete Heidi Peralta won the AAU Alabama Youth Wrestling Organization’s state title in the 113-pound weight class. Peralta earned the honor of winning the Governor’s Award for Excellence.
OHS SOCCER
The Bulldog girls and boys soccer teams opened the season last week with a pair of matches. The Lady Bulldogs split a pair of matches last week, beating Eufaula 8-0 and losing to Trinity, 1-0.
Against Eufaula, Amiya Brown scored a “hat trick” (three goals) to lead OHS, followed by goals from Liseth Vera, Maelee Story, Kam McDaniel, Maricela Cruz and Aimie Alcantara. Recording assists: McDonald (two), Kaitlun Spoon, Vera, Karly Phatsadavong and Brown.
The Bulldog boys beat Eufaula, 4-0, behind a hat trick by three Moe Forbes and one goal by Dexter Graham. Assists were recorded from Nathan Faison (two), Forbes and Graham.
The varsity boys capped off the week with a 2-1 win over Trinity of Montgomery. Faison and Graham scored one goal apiece while Rigo Ramirez and Forbes added an assist.
OHS BASEBALL OPENS MONDAY
The OHS varsity baseball team opens the 2023 season Monday, Feb. 20, against Wetumpka at Bulldog Park, with first pitch set for 1:30 p.m. Fans can listen to the OHS vs. Wetumpka baseball game on FOX Sports the Game 910-1310 and on the free iHeartRadio App on your smartphone. The broadcast is presented by the Orthopaedic Clinic.
AHSAA KICKOFF CLASSIC INVOLVES TWO LOCAL TEAMS
I have learned two local high school football teams, Opelika and Beauregard, will open the 2023 season playing in the Kickoff Classic at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery.
The AHSAA has not officially announced the two games featuring Beauregard versus Selma and Opelika versus Thompson, but the announcement is expected any day.
This is exciting news for both Beauregard and Opelika football programs. The date and time of each game has not been released.
OPELIKA DIXIE BOYS BASEBALL
The Opelika Dixie Boys Baseball League for ages 13 through 15 will hold registration in March at the Opelika Sportsplex. The league is open to anyone wanting to play baseball between 3 and 15 years old. The control date for age is April 30.
All registered players will be on a team and receive a jersey and cap. The Dixie Boys 13U and 14U State Tournament will be held at West Ridge Park July 7 through 10. The 13U World Series is scheduled to be at West Ridge Park July 24. Opelika will automatically receive a bye to the World Series by hosting the tournament.
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.