By D. Mark Mitchell
The Opelika High School Wrestling Bulldogs traveled to Seale last week for a match against Chattahoochee County and Russell County.
The Bulldog grapplers swept the two matches, beating Russell County 54-27 and Chattahoochee County 43-42.
The following wrestlers scored 12 points apiece: heavyweight James Dawson (220 pounds), Bevin Williams (2-0), Desmond Shuman (145 pounds) (2-0) and Benjamin Daughtry (170 pounds) (2-0).
Opelika, 7-5 overall, will host Stanhope Elmore and Robert E. Lee tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. in the Sports Arena.
OHS BASKETBALL
GIRLS
The Opelika Lady Bulldogs basketball team, 10-3 overall, blew out Smiths Station and Valley last week.
Opelika thumped Valley 65-17 last week at home.
Four girls finished in double figures: Alexis Browning led with 15 points, Claire Worth finished with 14 and Anita Payne and Abrea Green each added 12 points.
The Lady Bulldogs beat Smiths Station 80-27 in Smiths Station last Thursday.
Alexis Browning scored 18 points to again lead Opelika, Quala Walton scores 12 and Anita Payne and Claire Worth each pitched in 10 points.
Coach Devin Booth’s team is playing at a high level, having won five-straight games.
The Opelika girls played Robert E. Lee last night in Montgomery, but results were not available at press time.
BOYS
The Opelika boys basketball team won two of its three games last week, improving their record to 4-6 overall.
Coach John Wadsworth’s team increased in numbers after football season ended, with five players joining after Opelika’s semifinal loss.
The Bulldogs beat Valley 59-54 last Monday night at the Opelika Sports Arena.
With the win, Opelika avenged an earlier two-point loss to the Rams in Valley.
Senior Austin Pitts hit five 3-pointers and scored a game-high 20 points. Taye Fields scored 10 points and Jorden Heard added nine points.
Opelika blew out Prattville 78-52 at the Opelika Sports Arena last Thursday.
Austin Pitts continued his hot shooting, scoring 18 points. Trey Boone scored 15, Jaylin Cumin’s added 14 points and Jamius Mitchell scored 10 points.
The Bulldogs lost at Smiths Station 82-68. The Panthers were too much for the Bulldogs.
Jaylin Cumins led Opelika with 16 points, Trey Boone with 14 points and Austin Pitts added 12 points.
Both Opelika teams will host Central Friday night at the Sports Arena. Junior varsity boys start at 4 p.m., varsity girls at 5:30 p.m. and varsity boys at 7 p.m.
OPELIKA MIDDLE SCHOOL EIGHTH GRADE BASKETBALL
The OMS eighth-grade basketball team defeated Smiths Station 38-35 last week.
Tre Roberts led the Bullpups with 14 points while Jarrell Stinson added 11 points.
Tae Hardnett, Rashaad Frye and Taylor Love contributed defensively.
AHSAA SUPER 7 FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
The 2017 Edition of the AHSAA Super 7 Football Championship ended last Friday night in Tuscaloosa.
The three-day event drew more than 35,000 fans, the lowest total in Super 7 history.
Snow, rain and cold weather were major contributors to lower attendance.
In 2018, The Super 7 will return to Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn Dec. 5-7.
D. Mark is sports director for iHeart Media, Alabama Dixie Boys State Director and vice president of the A-O Sports Council.