Messenger file photo by Alex Chaney
Several local teams competing in the opening round of the AHSAA area basketball tournament on Monday, Feb. 7.
In girls action, No. 1 seed Sardis beat Crossville, 65-24, in the Class 5A, Area 13 Tournament at Sardis City. The Lady Lions (24-7) led 12-5 after one period, 28-11 at halftime and 47-19 after three quarters. Lily Towns (pictured above at left) paced Sardis with 11 points along with five steals. Emma Guthrie scored nine points, followed by Caroline Johnson and Jayda Lacks with eight each. Lacks also grabbed eight rebounds. Grace Harris chipped in six points. The Lady Lions will face No. 3 seed Douglas in the tournament finals on Thursday, Feb. 10.
In other action, West End fell to Southeastern, 53-35 in the Class 2A, Area 11 Tournament; Gaston fell to Spring Garden, 82-12, in the Class 2A, Area 12 Tournament; Hokes Bluff lost to Geraldine, 48-40, and Glencoe fell to Collinsville, 49-18, in the Class 3A Area 12 Tournament; and Southside came up short against Oxford, 62-32, in the Class 6A Area 13 Tournament.
In boys action, Coosa Christian defeated Donoho, 57-47, in the Class 1A, Area 10 Tournament at Faith Christian Academy in Anniston. For the Conquerors, Hayden Peek and D.J. Smith each scored 15 points, while Ty Sims added eight. Coosa will face top-seeded FCA in the semifinals on Thursday, Feb. 10. Also, Gaston lost to Spring Garden, 88-41, in the Class 2A, Area 12 Tournament.