Florala, Straughn split pair of varsity basketball games

Published 2:30 pm Wednesday, December 1, 2021

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Florala and Straughn finished with mixed basketball results Tuesday night in games that were relocated due to ongoing construction in the SHS gym.

The games were moved to FHS as a result of the floor being remodeled. The Lady Wildcats (3-1) clicked offensively and defensively for a 51-19 win over the Lady Tigers (0-7). The Tigers (1-1) salvaged the split with a 53-44 win in the nightcap against the Wildcats (1-3).

Florala took an 11-3 lead after one quarter in the girls’ game and went into halftime with a 24-3 advantage after holding Straughn scoreless in the second quarter. Both teams combined for 28 points third as FHS took a 40-15 lead. SHS only managed four in the final eight minutes and allowed 11 to account for the final tally.

Sharae Coleman led with 18 points, 16 rebounds, 3 steals, and 7 assists. Kyndra Anthony chipped in 15 points, 4 steals, and 1 assist. The Lady Wildcats finished the night with seven three-pointers. Meagan Odom earned 11 boards and 3 assists.

“We played really well tonight. We came out a little flat but picked things up shortly after. We played a solid defensive game, and our kids played hard for four quarters. We are getting better every day, but we still have a long season with a lot more games ahead of us. I like the direction our team is headed, and I hope we can continue to progress. We want to get better night in and night out,” FHS Head Coach David Bass said.

Straughn maintained a 13-8 lead after the opening eight minutes of the boys’ game. Florala outscored its counterpart by two in the second but trailed 27-24 at the break. Both sides tallied 10 points in the third as the score stood at 37-34 entering the fourth. SHS pulled away with a 16-point period, and FHS had another 10-point showing.

Abram Guilford was electric from the floor with 33 points to pace the Tigers. Daniel Bell added 8 points while Taylor Sikes notched 4. Rayshon Coleman had 13 points for the Wildcats and was followed closely by Dontavious Bradberry at 12 and Ronald Johnson at 10.

“I am proud of these young men. We were able to execute on offense and get crucial stops on defense towards the end of the game. We got into foul trouble early in the first half and had three foul out in the fourth quarter. These young men knew their roles and fought hard every minute of the game to find a way to win. Every player contributed in some way that led to this win. I could not be any prouder of these guys and what they are doing for this program,” SHS Head Coach Trevor Driver said.

“We struggled to score due to the excessive turnovers and miscues. Straughn played a good game, and our young FHS team is going to have to get better playing at a varsity competitive level. I was proud of our defense, and we never quit and continued to fight. We cut it to a one-point lead and will work to improve,” FHS Head Coach Troy Turman added.

Both schools are back in action Thursday, Dec. 2. Straughn will travel to Samson while Florala is home to Zion Chapel.