ADDISON, Ala. — Addison hosted the 1A Oakwood Adventist Academy Mustangs, from Huntsville, in the cozy confines of Allen Stephenson Gym on Thursday night. Addison won both games with the ladies corralling the Mustangs 75 to 23 in a rout. The boys’ teams played a back-and-forth tooth and nail game with the Addison men coming out on top 63-57.
Addison 75 – Oakwood Academy 23 (Varsity Girls)
Coach Bailey Boland led her 4-2 Addison Lady Bulldogs onto the gym floor to host the Mustangs from Oakwood Adventist. The opening tip would be the closest the Mustangs would get on the scoreboard the rest of the night. From the opening possession it was apparent that the Ladies from Oakwood could not handle the Addison woman to woman press. Addison jumped out to a 17-8 lead at the end of the first period and the game wasn’t really that close. Gracie “Bug” Manley absolutely dominated the low post as she racked up six points and five rebounds in the frame. Anna Grace “The Glove” Luker chipped in five points of her own.
The second period was even worse than the first for the Lady Mustangs. The Addison press destroyed any hope of offense from Oakwood as Addison steamrolled them 28-2 for the period. Manley had 10 more points and Hadley “Shooter” Butler ripped their hearts out with three three-pointers in the period. Addison had 12 steals in the period, with all seven Addison players getting at least one in the second period. Addison had a commanding 45-10 lead at the half.
The second half would be where Coach Boland would play her younger players and rest her starters but not this year. Addison only has seven girls available for the game, so it was just bad luck for the Mustangs. The second half was more of the same as Luker scored five and Butler threw down two more three-pointers. Addison carried a 62-20 lead into the fourth period. The game mercifully ended with Addison claiming a 75-23 victory. The ladies from Oakwood were game but they were just outclassed on this night.
Manley, who is averaging a double-double added after the game, “My teammates really fed me the ball in the low post tonight and the shots just kept falling,” Manley said. “When they started collapsing on me, I just kicked out to Hadley (Butler), Bracie (Rodgers) or A.G. (Luker) and they made the three. It was a total team effort tonight.”
Unofficial stats:
Manley led the Dawgs with a game high 23 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and two steals. Miss Bracie “Tiny” Rodgers had her usual solid 13 points, six boards, three assists and six steals. Butler had 17 points, five assists and six steals. Luker had 10 points, nine boards and seven assists with two steals. Brilyn Dover had eight points, seven boards and four steals. Lydia “Barbie” Ergle had four points, three boards and four steals.
Oakwood was led by Cameron Buckner with seven points and three boards. Natalia Marr had three points and seven boards.
Addison improves to 5-2 on the season. Addison will host Winston County Tuesday at 5:30pm.
Addison 63 – Oakwood Academy 57 (Varsity Boys)
This boy’s game was absolutely the opposite of the girl’s game. It was a back-and-forth affair that really wasn’t decided until Addison was able to make free throws down the stretch to ice it.
The opening period had both teams pressing and both teams making creative shots. Addison was able to match Oakwood’s athletes with quality guard play from Brady “Sticks” Gilbreath who had seven points in the period. Jed “Wizard” Wilkins also chipped in four. At the end of the first period the game was Addison 18 – Oakwood 15.
The second period had both teams cooling off from the floor, but Oakwood won the period 12-11 to cut the Bulldog lead to 29-27 going into the half. The Dawgs lost Gilbreath for the remainder of the game, he should be fine in the future, Eli “Curly” Howse picked up the slack. The Senior guard was not going to be denied for the remainder of the game. Howse took the scoring load onto his back and the Bulldogs followed.
After Oakwood opened up the second half outscoring Addison 9-3 to take a 36-32 lead Addison hit the reset button and went on a run of their own. The Dawgs defense was outstanding, and Addison took the period 19-14 for a 48-41 lead going into the fourth period. Wilkins seven points and Howse’s seven points lead Addison. Oakwood’s big man was held in check when Addison started getting Justin “Rocky’ Mather and Bradley “Big Foot” Willette putting their thick bodies on his slender frame.
Oakwood would continue to make a run as they got hot from three-point land. Oakwood cut the lead to 60-56 with only 50 seconds remaining. Howse was able to nail three straight free throws, he hit seven out of eight in the fourth period, to ice the game and give Addison a hard fought 63-57 victory.
Addison Head Coach Ben Mastin, “We needed this type of game. Oakwood is a quality team and will make some noise in 1A this year. I told the guys this is a heavyweight fight. We are going to take some punches and we have to give it right back to them. The toughest team will be the one standing at the end and tonight that was us. This was probably the most physical game we have played this year. This is a good win and will look even better at the end of the season. I was proud of our guys, especially Eli (Howse). He knocked those pressure free throws down at the end and that is what we needed.”
Unofficial stats:
Howse had a game high 27 points, four boards and five assists. Christian “Ice Man” Roberts had 13 points, eight boards and three steals. Wilkins had 11 points, six rebounds and four assists. Gilbreath had seven points. Mather had four points and six boards. Willette had four boards.
Addison goes to 4-3 on the season and will host Winston County Tuesday.
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