PJHS, DHCA win junior high titles
Priceville and Decatur Heritage claimed championship honors at the 2015 Morgan County Middle School Basketball Tournament at West Morgan Saturday night.
The Lady Bulldogs preserved their unbeaten season record by coming from behind to defeat the Lady Hawks, 42-33, in the girls final while Decatur Heritage’s boys defeated Eva’a Eagles, 23-19, in the boys final.
Priceville led 7-6 after one quarter but trailed by two points at halftime, 16-18, after Danville‘s Jolee Cole hit a three-pointer with four second left The Lady Bulldogs were up 29-25 after three quarters and clinched the win by making several free throws in the final minute of the game.
“I knew Danville would be ready and would give us a great game,” said Priceville head coach Kim Walker. “These girls put in a lot of extra practice time and it paid off.
“We kept 15 players on the team and each one has contributed in a special way, she pointed out. “They’ve all been great sports and have gotten better as the season progressed. “I‘ve very proud of them.”
The Lady Bulldogs ended the season with a 17-0 record.
Skyler Benson led Priceville in scoring with 17 points. Kathleen Wheeler added 11 points. Mishay Long had 6 points. Mauriene Clark added 4 points while Abby Moore scored 3 points.
Jolee Clark scored 13 points for the Lady Hawks and Kayla Compton and Grace Cobb each had 6 points.
In a hard-fought low-scoring battle, Eva (14-3) held a 5-2 edge after one period while Decatur Heritage (19-4) was up 8-5 at the halftime and held an18-3 edge after three periods.
“It was a hard fought game and the outcome wasn’t decided until the fourth quarter,” said Decatur Heritage head coach Steve Smith. “We were blessed to win.”
Jackson Kyle and Gage Lillich each scored 6 points for Decatur Heritage while Ashton Owens had 4 points and Ian Metzger scored 3 points.
Levi Kelley scored 9 points to lead Eva. Ben Shadden added 4 points and Carter Brown had 3 points.
- These middle school basketball players were recognized as members of the 2015 Boys All-Morgan County Team at West Morgan Saturday night: Kaleb Medders, Cotaco; Jackson Wiggington, Danville; Hunter Shelnutt, Falkville; Hunter Youngblood, Lacey’s Spring; D.J., Anderson, Sparkman; Chandler James, West Morgan; Michael Childers and Caleb Gullion, Union Hill; Brock Payne and Rhet Lemma, Priceville; Levi Kelley, Carter Brown, Isaac Childs and Ben Sadden; Eva; and Jackson Kyle, Heath Bolton, Gage Lillis and Will Jones, Decatur Heritage. | Clif Knight
- Decatur Heritage boys claimed championship honors at the 2015 Morgan County Middle School Basketball Tournament at West Morgan Saturday night. Team members are Heath Bolton, Lance Callahan, Stratton Orr, Michael Amason, Carter Sample, Ashton Owens, Jackson Kyle, Derrick Bishop, Ian Metzger, Will Jones, Jacob Winton and Gage Lillich. Head coach is Steve Smith and the assistant coach is Aaron Boykins. | Clif Knight
- These middle school basketball players were recognized as members of the 2015 Girls All-Morgan County Team at West Morgan Saturday night: Joanie Lang, Cotaco; Kari Watts, Falkville; Aubrey Flack, West Morgan; Madison Adams, and Hannah Graves, Lacey’s Spring; McCarley Northway and Abby Hufnagle, Union Hill; Kayla Compton, Jolee Cobb, Grace Cobb and Emma Broadfoot, Danville; and Kathleen Wheeler, Skyler Benson, Mishay Long and Abby Moore, Priceville. | Clif Knight