CULLMAN —

In its first game since moving up to the No. 4 spot in Class 5A of the ASWA polls, Cullman (17-4) blew out Dora 55-26 at home Friday.

That 29-point victory came on a night where Bearcats’ coach Jonathan Hayes said his offense could have played even smoother, similar to the way they recently performed against top-ranked teams like Brewer and Northridge.

“I wished it would have been a prettier game for us,” he said. “Sometimes your eyes get bigger than your stomach and they catch you eating.”

Still, Hayes didn’t have too much to complain about as he said a pesky defensive effort and a balanced scoring attack were just too much for Dora.

He said Rachel Fisher, who ended the night with eight points, tipped quite a few balls, came away with numerous steals and was crucial on the boards.

“She might not have led us in scoring, but her defense and rebounding have been huge in key points of games,” Hayes said.

Morgan Smith led the way with nine points, Morgan Pitts had eight and Baylee Johnson scored seven. Point guard Jorden Quick contributed six. The Cullman coach said every player scored again versus the Bulldogs.

The Bearcats are currently riding a nine-game win streak, and eight of their 17 wins this season have come against ranked teams. That kind of run hasn’t gone unnoticed, as Cullman recently vaulted to No. 4 in the polls, which Hayes and former coach Marc Ponder believe is the highest in team history.

“It shows we’re on the right track, doing good things,” he said. “It’s definitely something to say we’re trying to establish a level of respect.

“I’m just happy for the girls because it’s a reflection on them and how hard they’ve worked. I point it all to them.”

As satisfying as the high ranking may be, Hayes doesn’t want his players to confuse it with a much higher goal that he’d like to see them accomplish.

“I tell them not to get caught up in it because it doesn’t necessarily translate into championships,” he said.

Good Hope 62, Danville 24: Danville may be the eighth-ranked team in 3A, but they proved no match for the 4A, No. 1 Raiders Friday.

 Good Hope didn't give up more than eight points in any one quarter, jumping out to a 23-4 first-quarter lead.

 "Every one of the girls played great defense," Raiders (19-1) coach Michael Oldacre said. "Especially Kayla Tillman. We put her on their shooter and she was light's out."

 Tillman wound up with a game-high 19 points, also.

 Kayla Elrod scored 14 and Savannah Fendley tossed in 10 points. Sierra Kinser added nine while Darcie Wilson and Nina Mills scored four each. Kaitlyn Bishop notched two points.

 "That was one of Nina's finest games," Oldacre said. "It was just assist after assist after assist. And the others were doing so well scoring off of her."

 Oldacre was also pleased with the rebounding effort, naming Wilson, Fendley and Elrod as big-role players.



Boys

American Christian Academy 57, Cold Springs 52: Eagles coach Tim Burleson had been preparing his team for this particular Class 2A, Area 11 matchup for quite some time, but they ultimately fell just short in a tough rivalry atmosphere on the road.

“It was an experience to say the least — as we knew it would be,” he said. “There were things at that particular place that you don’t see very often.”

Cold Springs (12-6, 4-1) jumped out to a 21-10 lead at the end of the first quarter before running into foul trouble, an issue that has plagued them throughout the season. Austin Harris and Colton Henderson picked up three fouls in the first eight minutes, and Chayse Elliott was charged with a third as well shortly after the start of the second quarter.

Still, the Eagles were able to go into halftime up one and were leading by five at the beginning of the fourth before their fouling woes caught up with them. By game’s end, Elliott, Austin Moore and Cody Vandiver fouled out. ACA ended the game with 40 free-attempts compared to Cold Springs’ 10.

“Foul problems played a significant role in this game,” Burleson said. “We definitely have got to play smarter basketball once we get into some foul problems.”

The Eagles will play their final area game Tuesday at Sumiton Christian.

If Cold Springs wins that game and ACA (3-1) is victorious in its final two area contests, the area champion will be determined by coin toss for the second year in a row.

 Holly Pond 63, Winston County 21: The Broncos improved to 15-4 overall and 4-0 in Class 3A, Area 12 play with a convincing victory.

 Holly Pond jumped out to a 24-1 lead after one quarter and never looked back. The Yellow Jackets managed to net 11 second-quarter points.

 Blake Black led the Broncos with 12 points while Colby Adams, Bryant Sparks and Gunter Morris each tallied 11.

Cullman 61, Dora 58: The Bearcats made all five free-throw attempts in overtime and outscored the Bulldogs 9-5 in the extra quarter to notch their third straight victory.

“Their record (8-8 after the loss) doesn’t indicate what their team is like,” coach Bobby Meyer said.

Troy Forrest netted 14 points, and Kreg Keiffer pitched in 11 to go with his seven assists. Jordan Vass had nine points, and Houston Turner and Jacob Knight scored eight apiece.

The close win over Dora followed a one-point squeaker over Brewer Tuesday. Meyer believes playing close games now will eventually come in handy for Cullman (12-5) down the stretch.

“It helps to be under pressure and be able to execute and take care of the ball,” he said. “Every possession matters in these close games.”

Priceville 49, Fairview 47: The Aggies (10-8, 2-2 in Class 4A, Area 13) lost to the Bulldogs for the second time this season and are now two games back of its area rival.

Fairview outscored Priceville 24-9 in the second quarter to take a 32-27 halftime lead but were only able to muster nine points in the third and six points in the fourth.

Luke Bailey, who had 13 points, led the Aggies in scoring for the second straight game. Blake Parker had 12 points, and Tyler King was good for nine.