Winning 31 ball games, advancing to the regional finals for the third year in a row and winning the area championship are just a few of the accomplishments the Andalusia Bulldogs boys basketball team had on their plate this year.

AHS head basketball coach Richard Robertson completed his 36th year at the helm of the program, and said the season overall was a “success.”

“Nothing didn’t happen that I didn’t expect to happen,” he said. “I expected us to be successful.”

The Bulldogs finished their season ranked No. 2 in the state in Class 4A, and 31-3 overall.

“We played a tough schedule, and that’s by design,” Robertson said. “Every year we play, we expect to do something great.”

Andalusia’s only losses came on Nov. 20 and Dec. 29, 2010; and Feb. 26, 2011.

The Bulldogs fell to Kendrick, Ga., a team Robertson said he didn’t know anything about at the Enterprise Thanksgiving tournament; then to Charles Henderson at the Ozark Invitational in late December; and to Hillcrest-Evergreen at the South Regional Tournament more than two weeks ago.

“My only concern was Andalusia High School,” Robertson said.

Andalusia lost 68-57 to Hillcrest-Evergreen in the regional finals, where the Jaguars had a 30-27 edge in rebounds over the Bulldogs.

“They came at critical times,” Robertson said about the rebounds. “The plan we had had worked to perfection. Their size became a factor.

“We had open shots. We got fouled, missed free throws and lay ups,” he said. “We didn’t block.”

Since Robertson has been at AHS as an assistant or head coach, he has won more than 700 games (701-316) and helped lead his team win the regional championship 12 times after 36 years as the basketball coach.

“It’s hard to be in that position every year because we’re the hunted,” he said. “We’ve got to meet the challenge. I wouldn’t have it no other way. It’s a lot of pressure when you get in that position.”

Andalusia will lose nine seniors this year to graduation, and Robertson said he couldn’t be more proud of them.

“The thing I’m most proud of with my seniors is that they’ve won 100 games, and lost 21,” he said. “That’s with tough schedules.”

Even though a team goal was to win every tournament his team appeared in this year, Robertson said he was happy with the end result.

“I’m satisfied with everything except not winning the state championship,” he said. “We just came up short three times — four without making it to the state tournament.”

Finally, Robertson said he appreciated the fan base this year.

“I’d like to thank our fans and the Andalusia High School community,” Robertson said. “I appreciate them, and I want to let the whole Andalusia High School Bulldog nation know how much we appreciate them.”