Cubs come up short
- Updated: February 12, 2017
Alexandria falls in Class 5A Area 13 title game, goes back on road to play Scottsboro in subregional
By East Alabama Sports Today
ATTALLA — Alexandria fought back from a double-digit deficit to get within three late in the fourth quarter, had two “good” shots to tie rim out and lost to host Etowah 67-63 in the Class 5A Area 13 title game Saturday.
“We fought hard and played hard, we just came up a little short,” Valley Cubs coach Jason Johnson said. “It’s tough when you’re on the other team’s home court for a championship. The kids gave it everything they had.”
The Valley Cubs trailed by 13 at halftime and were down by nine with two minutes to play. They climbed back on the strength of their defense and had a chance to tie, but missed twice and the Blue Devils made a free throw to bring the final margin.
Chase Smitherman led Alexandria with 14 points. Dalton Dodd had 12 (nine in the fourth quarter) and Landon Williams 10. Six Cubs combined for 10 3-pointers in the game.
“We had two good looks that just rimmed out,” Johnson said. “It just wasn’t meant to be.
“We could’ve laid down and beat 20 or 30, but my guys fought back in the second half and gave us a chance.”
Despite the loss, the Valley Cubs still have a chance to reach the Northeast Regional and beyond. They go back on the road to play Scottsboro Tuesday night in the sub-regional.
“We’re OK with that,” Johnson said. “We don’t mind a road trip. The last couple years we’ve been successful going on the road and coming back winning and getting back to Jax State.”
Etowah 67 Alexandria 63
ALEXANDRIA – Devan Grant 2 2-2 5, Chase Smitherman 5 3-6 14, Austin Taylor 1 0-0 3, Dalton Dodd 4 2-6 12, Romeo Dye 0 0-0 0, Jamal Tucker 3 0-2 9, Josh Tucker 3 2-2 10, Landon Williams 4 2-2 10. Totals 21 11-22 63.
ETOWAH – Andrew Noles 2 4-7 8, Jailyn Jackson 3 3-10 10, Cyrus Smith 7 4-4 18, Justin Harris 0 4-6 4, William Timmons 4 3-3 13, Jamin Graham 4 4-4 12, Christopher Jones 1 0-0 2. Totals 21 22-34 67.
Alexandria 14 10 10 29 — 63
Etowah 16 21 9 17 — 67
3-point goals: Alexandria 10 (Grant, Smitherman, Taylor, Dodd 2, Ja. Tucker 3, Jo. Tucker 2); Etowah 3 (Jackson, Timmons 2). Fouled out: Smitherman, Harris, Jones. Total fouls: Alexandria 25, Etowah 18. Officials: Howell, Kelley, England.
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