Coach Mixson (left) with the WTLS radio crew (Michael Butler and Trey Taylor) after the Valley game

Hoops teams prep for area tourneys

By Michael Butler

The Tallassee basketball teams have completed regular season play. Now it's tourney time.

Last week, the varsity boys went 2-1. The girls were 1-2.

The girls (4-13) got a win over Valley on Tuesday at THS, 37-36. Shaniya Gray made the go-ahead basket and game-winning free throw in the victory. Spirit Crawford and Cheyanne Easterling had nine points each. Easterling added six rebounds. Jhakia Anderson had six points and 13 rebounds.

Anderson added a double-double in a 60-42 loss at Holtville on Thursday with 13 points and 15 rebounds. The girls dropped a 45-39 loss to Beauregard at home on Senior Night Friday. Kam Tate had 14 points and 10 rebounds. Easterling had nine points and Crawford eight.

The varsity boys (10-8) lost 85-65 to Valley but came back with wins over Holtville (83-45) and Beauregard (64-45).

Tim Washington was the Tigers' leading scorer against Valley with 15 points. Jamarrion McCoy had 13. Kayden Slay added 11 and Johnathan Wright 10. Washington scored 21 against Holtville. Slay had 13. Rowen Thornton also had 13 and McCoy 10. In the "w" over Beaurgard, Washington and McCoy led the way with 12 each. Slay had 10.

Both Tallassee teams will play Beauregard next week in area tournament play. The girls are the No. 3 seed and travel for a 6 p.m. game on Monday, Feb. 6. The boys, the No. 2 seed, host the Hornets on Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 6 p.m. A win clinches a spot in the area title game and a playoff berth. Valley will host the girls championship on Thursday, Feb. 9 at 5 p.m. followed by the boys title at 7.

"The girls have really played hard we have accomplished some major things this year," first-year girls coach LD Bell said. "Beating rival Eclectic something that hasn't been done in about seven years."

Bell also noted the win over area top seed Valley as a high point this season.

"We have won four games this year - the most in five to seven years. We have a strong chance of going to the playoffs this year. We just have to win one game in the area tournament and we are in. That was our major goal on the year and we have every intention of trying to reach that goal.

"We are a young squad with only two girls graduating. I challenged these girls this year to make girls basketball exciting to watch again in Tallassee. They have done exactly that. I am extremely proud of them, but we are not done yet."

Keiven Mixson hopes to return back to the post-season - a spot he's been every year of his Tallassee tenure except last season.

"Our goal every season is to reach the sub-region," Mixson said. "I think we're in good position at home versus a team we beat twice."

*Photos by Kyle Thornton