Both Tallassee varsity basketball teams played Beauregard to open the Class 5A/Area 7 Tournament. One team will now play Valley for the championship. The other's season has come to an end.
The THS boys (13-12) overcame a nine-point fourth quarter deficit winning 49-42 on Monday at Stumberg Gym in Tallassee. The girls (16-11) lost 38-34 in overtime at Beauregard on Saturday.
The boys team clinches a playoff berth for the sixth time in seven years under head coach Keiven Mixson. They go on the road to play Class 5A defending champion Valley at 5 p.m. Central Time on Wednesday, Feb. 7.
Mixson has won three area tournament titles since arriving in Tallassee in 2018. The Tigers beat Dadeville for the championship in his inaugural season. They have added wins over Brewbaker Tech in 2020 and Pike Road in 2021 for the other championships during his tenure.
Last year, the Tigers lost 75-48 to Valley for the area crown. The Rams (19-1) are ranked No. 2 in 5A this season with two lopsided victories over the Tigers; 74-42 on Dec. 13 and 80-47 on Jan. 23. Some members of the Valley squad were at Monday's game in Tallassee to see who they would face next.
"Why were they at the game? They beat Beauregard by 40. They beat us by 30 every time they play us," Mixson quipped. "It's obviously a huge task. We're going to try to do a few things different. I would like to slow the game down and make them shoot from the outside."
Mixson noted the play of Cam'ron Dooley and Brandon Thomas. Dooley is averaging 23 points and 9 rebounds per game. Thomas is putting up 15 points and 11 rebounds per contest.
"I'd like to make some of these other guys, other than Dooley and Thomas, beat us. They'll pass out some all-area certificates. I would love to keep them off, but it's going to be hard."
On Monday, prospects were a bit iffy in Tallassee's quest to reach the tourney championship. The Tigers trailed Beauregard throughout the game. The Hornets led 28-21 at the half and 37-28 entering the fourth period, but Tallassee dominated in the final frame outscoring the visitors 21-5.
"I have to brag on our kids - just very resilient," said Mixson. "It says a lot about your team when you can be down 11 and you keep fighting, scratching and clawing. Basketball is a game of runs. With our depth, it kind of wore on them."
Tallassee took its first second-half lead, 42-41, at the 3:54 mark of the fourth period on a rare four-point play by Roderius "Deuce" Glover. Glover finished with 15 points.
"Deuce gave us a big boost. That was a big play for us. It kind of got the crowd going. Our crowds are incredible. Our students support us and give us a true home court advantage."
Win or lose Wednesday, Tallassee is back in the post-season awaiting the turnout in three-team Area 5 consisting of Selma, Brewbaker Tech and tournament host Demopolis.
Johnson
The THS girls will now set their sights on next season, but it was a solid season for first-year head coach Alfonzo Johnson. It was the first winning season for the program in six years. The 16 victories is the most in a season by a Tallassee team in the 2000s.
"I think the future is bright for this team," said Johnson. "We have a lot coming back, as well as a very talented eighth grade class set to join us next year."
ShaNiya Gray and Jhakhia Anderson led the team in scoring at 9 points per game. Cheyann Easterling and Reese Gough averaged 7 each. All return next season.
"I think everyone in our program now has a clear idea of what we need to do to take the next step," Johnson added.
The Tigers claimed two titles at LAMP's Veterans Day Tournament and Trinity's Christmas Tournament during the 2023-24 campaign.
"I want to thank everyone," Johnson concluded, "the parents, students, our great administrators and fans for all the support this season."
-- Michael Butler, WTLS-AM 1300 & FM 94.7/106.9