E.A. Sports Today

Passing the mentor

Talladega coach Chuck Miller Jr. passes his father on the all-time list of coaching wins, picked up 705 against Shelby County

By East Alabama Sports Today

COLUMBIANA – The Talladega Tigers moved a step closer to another 20-win season Tuesday night and in the process pushed coach Chuck Miller to milestone more personal in nature.

The Tigers’ 69-42 victory over Shelby County was Miller 705th career coaching win, passing his Hall of Fame coaching father Chuck Sr. on the all-time wins list.

“Both of us put in a lot of time getting teams ready to play and come to play every night,” he said. “I took it from him the way he prepared teams – that’s the way I prepared my team, so it’s been a total team effort.

“The years we got to coach against each other were some of the funnest times in life. I just wish all people could get to play for their dad and also coach against him.”

Miller joined his father in the 700-win club two weeks ago in a game against Coosa Central. It’s hard to imagine any other father-son coaching tandem with more than 700 wins apiece.

“He was fiery in his younger days … he put on a good show,” Miller said. “We do some of the same things he did; it’s passed the test of time. The zone presses he ran in the 50s and 60s are still going strong today.”

This one was close early, but the Tigers (19-7) pulled away with a big second quarter and broke it open with a similar third quarter.

Jae-Lyn Russ scored 16 of his game-high 21 points in the first half. Ashton Duncan scored 14 points and had seven steals. Fred Dickerson dealt eight assists and Tyrese Scales had six.

Talladega 69, Shelby County 42
TALLADEGA –
Fred Dickerson 2 1-2 6, Chaztin Tanner 3 0-1 7, Tyrese Scales 2 2-2 8, Jarvius McKenzie 1 1-1 3, Ashton Duncan 5 2-2 14, Chrishawn Williams 0 3-4 3, TraShaundez Bolden 1 0-2 2, Robert Houston 0 0-0 0, Jamonte Twymon 2 1-1 5, Jae-Lyn Russ 9 3-5 21. Totals 25 13-20 69.

SHELBY COUNTY – Cory Martin 5 2-4 12, John-Thomas Owen 1 0-2 3, Chadwyn Russ 1 0-0 2, Elliott Nash 1 0-2 2, Brock Phillips 0 2-2 2, Brandon Green 3 1-3 7, Nathan Bates 0 2-2 2, Austin Lucas 2 2-2 6, Keller 2 2-2 6. Totals 15 11-19 42.

Talladega 14 27 21 7 — 69
Shelby County 13 11 4 14 — 42

3-point goals: Talladega 6 (Dickerson, Tanner, Scales 2, Duncan 2). Shelby County 1 (Owen). Total fouls: Talladega 15, Shelby County 18. Officials: Alan Lovell, Eddie Gray, Ryan Thomas.

You must be logged in to post a comment Login