By D. Mark Mitchell
The Opelika Lady Bulldog Basketball Team (24-6) split games last week, losing 70-52 at G.W. Carver-Montgomery and beating rival Auburn at the new AHS Gym.
The Lady Wolverines beat Opelika 70-52, one of the worse defeats of the season. Ananda Hughley was a bright spot offensively with 21 points.
OHS rebounded with a huge 61-38 win over rival Auburn Thursday. Four Lady Bulldogs scored in double digits: Haley Sanders 16 points, Kaitlyn Bryant 15 points, Ladajah Hughley 10 points and Claire Worth added 10 points. Coach Devin Booth was pleased with her team’s defensive play.
OHS won the 6A area regular season title and hosted the area tournament. Russell County and Benjamin Russell played Tuesday night at the Mainstreet Gym in the first round of the area tournament. The winner plays Opelika on Thursday at 6 p.m. in the Mainstreet Gym. Opelika will be playing for a sub-regional game at home. Thursday results were not available at press time.
BOYS
Coach John Wadsworth schedules tough teams on his schedule, and this week the Bulldogs played 6A powerhouse Carver and 7A rival Auburn. They ended up losing both games on the road.
Carver defeated Opelika 64-52 last week in Montgomery. Ja Carr scored 12 points to lead Opelika, while Ant MacGuire added 10 points and teammate Brandon Howard contributed 8.
Last Thursday, Auburn avenged an earlier loss to Opelika with a 67-58 win over the Bulldogs. Brandon Howard led Opelika with 14 points.
The OHS boys will travel to Seale Wednesday at 5 p.m. to take on Benjamin Russell. The winner will advance to the area tournament finals on Friday at 5 p.m. The winner of the area tournament will host the sub-regional game, while the loser will travel.
WRESTLING
Last weekend, the OHS wrestling team participated in the “Hornet Slam,” an invitational tournament with 16 teams. The following Bulldog Grapplers made it to the podium for medal presentation:
Joey Baker – 120 pounds (4-1 and 3rd place), Tharra Brunson – 126 pounds (4th place) was fourth and Cameron Williams – 132 pounds (4-1 and 3rd place).
Opelika is preparing for the sectional meet and is hoping to advance to the State Meet.
SPRING SPORTS – TENNIS
The Opelika boys and girls tennis teams opened the 2020 season against Benjamin Russell. The boys swept the Widcats while the girls lost 6-3. The following players won matches; 9-0. Gray Walker (1) won 8-0, Parker McKay (2) won 8-0, Dawson Rush (3) won 8-1, Ben Estes (4) won 8-2, Connor Mullins (5) won 8-0, Andrew Hudson won by forfeit and girls No. 2 Laney McTier won 8-5.
Doubles teams of McKay/Estes, Walker/Rowton, McTier/Long and Hope Beardon/ Vera Smith T won matches.
OHS
FOOTBALL SIGNEES
Opelika High School’s football team held a signing ceremony for players signing football scholarships on the morning of Feb. 5. Among those signing are Brody Davis, Nate Evans, Julian Favors, Omar Holloway, Kory McCoy, Jamius Mitchell and Marshall Myers.
James Dawson and Jaylen Stinson signed during the early signing period but were not allowed to sign on the OHS campus. They signed at places around the community, including Mayor Gary Fuller’s office.
OMS
ATHLETICS
I do not have any athletic news to report from OMS. The seventh grade basketball team only played a seven-game season. I wrote about the OMS seventh graders in a prior addition. No results or information is available.
I reached out by email to OMS Principal Keith York and Athletics Director Craig Montel for help with information. The seventh grade basketball summary was the only information sent.
If you have scores or other information pertaining to OMS athletics, send email to foxonthemark@yahoo.com
ON THE MARK/FOX SPORTS THE GAME 910-1310
I am inviting you to listen to “On the Mark” airing on Fox Sports the Game 910 and 1310 AM each weekday morning from 6 to 9 a.m. The LOCAL Sports radio show airs on two radio stations 910 AM locally and 1310 AM in Valley, West Point, Lanett, essentially covering East Alabama and West Georgia.
Jeff Sasser and I co-host, with a guest host list including Dan Washburn, Larry Gore, Derek Lee, Dr. Jeff Meyers, James Cooper, Chris Wood, Joe Wilson and Doug Barfield among guest callers Coaches Pat Dye and Gene Stallings. Local coaches will call in as well as ones from Auburn University.
We keep you informed with the cities of Opelika, Auburn, Lanett and Valley. Mayor Gary Fuller, Mayor Ron Anders, Mayor Kyle McCoy and Mayor Leonard Riley call the show following city council meetings.
Tune into “On the Mark” radio version on Fox Sports the Game 910 and 1310 AM on the radio dial or download the iHeartRadio app or online at foxsportsthegame.com.
Mitchell is sports director for iHeart Media, Alabama Dixie Boys State Director and vice president of the A-O Sports Council.