By D. Mark Mitchell

OHS Junior Conner Pruitt won his third straight AHSAA state diving championship last Friday  at the 56th AHSAA state swimming and diving tournament at Auburn University’s James E. Martin Aquatics Complex.
Pruitt scored a total 532.90 points, breaking the AHSAA record of  531.90 points, set by Murphy High’s Robert Railey in 2011.
This was the third straight AHSAA diving championship for Pruitt. He won in 2014 and 2015 after finishing seventh as an eighth grader in 2013. Pruitt competed in the 6A-7A class.
Congratulations to Conner Pruitt!
BASKETBALL
GIRLS
The OHS girls basketball team defeated Smiths Station, 73-71, and Robert E. Lee, 71-67, last week to improve their overall record to 5-3.
Devin Booth, girls head basketball coach and Assistant Athletic Director, believes a tough schedule in November and December will help when the Lady Bulldogs are heading to the area and state tournaments at the end of the season.
In the home win over Smiths Station last Wednesday, Anita Payne scored a game high 18 points to lead the Bulldogs. Quala Walton added 14 points and Sierra McCollough tallied 12.
The Lady Dawgs beat Robert E. Lee behind Anita Payne’s 20 points and Quala Walton’s 18. Abrea Green added 12 points.
Opelika will participate in the Smiths Station Holiday Tournament Dec. 15-17. OHS will host Carver of Columbus, Ga. on Dec. 19 at 2:30 p.m.
BOYS
The OHS boys basketball team lost their first two games of the season last week, to Central 65-33 and Smiths Station 72-56.
Opelika head coach John Wadsworth’s squad returns one starter from last year’s team. The Dawgs have an unusually small team, with only three players over six feet tall. The inexperience combined with a small size may make it difficult for OHS. The team must use their speed, play extremely well on defense and shoot the ball well in order to win games.
The Bulldogs opened with a 35-point loss to Central in Phenix City. OHS lost to Smiths Station in the home opener Wednesday night.
Takeel Demunn scored nine points,while Jalyn Cummings and Bruce King added eight points apiece in the Smiths Station game.
The boys will also play in the Smiths Station Tournament, Dec. 14-16.
The Bulldogs will also host Russell County Jan. 3 at 7 p.m. in the OHS Sports Arena.
WRESTLING
The Opelika High wrestling team met Russell County, Central and Park Crossing and also participated in the Suede Umbach Tournament hosted by Auburn High School.
The Dawgs beat Russell County Tuesday in Seale. The following are the winning wrestlers:
106 lbs. Jackson Shoemaker, 120 lbs Michael Castellani, 126 lbs Cory Dowdell, 132 lbs Des Shuman, 138 lbs Kris Davis, 145 lbs Requan Hooks, 160 lbs Benjamin Daughtry and Savador Vera and 182 lbs Bevin Williams.
The Bulldog grapplers hosted a Tri –Match with Central and Park Crossing at the OHS Sports Arena. OHS lost both matches: 48-30 to Park Crossing and 60-20 to Central.
Braden Thomas was 1-1 at 106 lbs,, Michael Castellina was 2-0 in 120 lbs,, Desmond Shuman was 1-1 at 132lbs, Kris Davis 1-0 at 138 lbs,, Requan Hooks 1-0 at 146 lbs. and heavy weight Ryan Nixon scored his first pin and finished 1-0.
Opelika traveled to Auburn to participate in the annual Swede Umbach Wrestling Meet hosted by Auburn High School.
The following individuals finished in the top six for OHS:
132 lbs.-Desmond Shuman- finished fourth
138 lbs.-Tory Birdsong-finished fourth
145 lbs.-Revaldo Smith-finished fifth
152 lbs -Timothy Tolbert- finished fourth
160 lbs.-Benjamin Daughtery-finished fifth
170 lbs.-Trint Vaughns- finished sixth
195 lbs.-Roberto Martinez-finished sixth
285 lbs.-Ryan Nixon-finished sixth
Opelika hosted Stanhope Elmore Tuesday night. The results were not available 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.