‘Play angry’

Oxford boys jump on Homewood quickly, never let up on the way to first-ever regional title, Final Four berth.

By Joe Medley
East Alabama Sports Today

JACKSONVILLE — A Northeast Regional title and Final Four berth hardly seemed like the great barrier for Oxford’s boys Wednesday.

The Yellow Jackets held Homewood without a field goal in the first quarter, led their regional final by 20 points at halftime and dominated 55-22 in Pete Mathews Coliseum, punching their ticket to Birmingham.

Top-ranked Oxford (28-4) will play the South Regional winner on March 4, at 1:30 p.m. in Birmingham’s Legacy Arena in the Class 6A state semifinals. Murphy and Saraland play for the South Regional title later today.

Most valuable player Jaylen Alexander and Chris Latson led Oxford with 11 points apiece Wednesday, and all-tournament pick Jay’lin Taylor added 10. Alexander also had six steals, as the Yellow Jackets forced 17 turnovers and held Homewood to 28 percent shooting, 16.7 percent in the first half.

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