Tri-coaches step up for Oxford

Lady Jackets assistants call the shots with head coach away, team advances in tight game

By Jason Katz
For East Alabama Sports Today

JACKSONVILLE – Being without the head coach is usually never in the best interest of a team, especially during one of the biggest tournaments of the year. But for the Oxford girls and assistant coach Crosby Morrison it was business as usual.

And another W.

Oxford head coach Tonya Peoples had an excused absence to handle a family medical situation that had been known in advance, leaving the Yellow Jackets’ Calhoun County Tournament opener in the hands of her three assistants – Morrison, Lydia Elkins and Cade Sommers.

With the three assistants calling the shots from the bench and Winter Taylor leading the team on the court, the Yellow Jackets scored a close, but comfortable 57-53 victory over Wellborn.

“We knew what to do,” Morrison said. “I got the call yesterday and we knew we would have to step up and lead the team in the absence of coach Peoples. We went over practice plans, and our plan for this game and nothing changed really.”

Oxford athletics director Larry Davidson said Peoples would be back with the team for its quarterfinal game against top-seeded Anniston at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

“Even though Crosby was the stand-up coach today, all three of our assistants stepped up,” Oxford AD Larry Davidson said as the game was winding down. “It was really nothing different other than Coach Peoples not being here. They know exactly what to do and Coach Peoples prepares them well, so it really didn’t change a lot as far as the way to team prepared.”

Taylor led the Lady Jackets on the court as she diced through opposing defenders.

“I think because of our coach we do what we are told and are very disciplined in our set up for games,” Taylor said. “I knew that Wellborn was going to be good and I knew I was going to have to step up. It just had to be done.”

Taylor went head-on against the Panthers defense in the first half. She finished with 27 points while battling Wellborn freshman Vanessa Carter, who led all scorers with 28. These two hammered opposing defenses as they fought into halftime, Oxford going into the break leading by two.

“She would make one and then I would,” Taylor said. “We just battled all night long.”

The game was back and forth again in the second half as the battle continued; Taylor kept hitting shots, Carter was sure to follow. The two stars mimicked each other until finally the clock ran out and they were literally not allowed to shoot anymore.

“Carter played a really good game tonight,” Taylor said. “We prepared for her and she still scored 28, but that just shows you how good she is.”

Wellborn had five players score in the game. Ayanna Foster added 11 points for the Lady Panthers, while Aliyah Thrasher scored eight.

Six Lady Jackets scored. Ebony Kelly added 10 points, while Tremeria Britt scored six.

Peoples returns, which is a relief for coaches and players alike, but, really, nothing was going to be different for the Lady Jackets is their coach had to miss a second game.

“We just have to keep playing our game,” Taylor said. “No matter what, it is about this team and how well we play together. Coach taught us well.”

Oxford 57, Wellborn 53

WELLBORN – Vanessa Carter 10 4-9 28, Madison Files 2 0-0 4, Katessa Carter 0 2-3 2, Ayanna Foster 4 3-3 11, Aliyah Thrasher 3 0-0 8, Markiesha Jones 0 0-0 0. Totals 19 9-15 53.

OXFORD – Anna Bolton 1 0-0 2, Makayla Kidd 2 1-3 5, Winter Taylor 9 6-7 27, Makayla Lowery 0 0-0 0, Acacia Kidd 0 0-0 0, Tremeria Britt 2 2-2 6, Ebony Kelley 5 0-1 10, Alex Gomez 0 0-0 0, Jordan Smith 3 0-0 6. Totals 22 9-13 57.

Wellborn 13 15 9 16 — 53
Oxford 14 16 12 15 — 57

3-point goals: Wellborn 6 (V. Carter 4, Thrasher 2); Oxford 4 (M. Kidd, Taylor 3). Total fouls: Wellborn 15, Oxford 15. Officials; Hicks, Reedy, Pierson.

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