Georgia Myrex records 21 points, 12 rebounds

By Michael A. Cummings The Cullman Times

CULLMAN — HOLLY POND — Late in the fourth quarter Friday night, just before a couple of big free throws, Cold Springs High girls basketball coach Tammy West pulled aside Georgia Myrex for a quick pep talk.

Except for one thing: When West placed both hands on top of her star player’s head, it looked a little more like some kind of crunch-time benediction.

Or something like that.

“She said, ‘You’re an All-State player, finalist for Player of the Year, a UNA signee — don’t miss these,’” said Myrex. “’No pressure, but don’t miss these.’”

She didn’t.

Myrex hit both free throws with less than a minute to play, giving Cold Springs a 50-47 lead over homestanding Holly Pond.

Seconds later, the Eagles got a breakaway layup from Kaitlyn Allums before holding on for a 52-50 win at Felton Easterwood Gymnasium.

The victory gave Cold Springs (2-0) an early lead in the Cullman County standings and extended a winning streak that started last November. And the Eagles did it despite being without the services of standout forward Palee Myrex, who missed the game after injuring an ankle during last weekend’s state cross country meet.

“She brings so much to the team, and when she’s not out there it really hurts us,” said Georgia Myrex, who scored a game-high 21 points to go with 12 rebounds. “But we had some girls step up, and I’m proud of them.”

One of those was Allums, who finished with eight points filling in for Palee Myrex. Courtney Rice scored 12 points and recorded four blocks, Ka-Ka Crider had seven points and Abby Myrex added four.

“Kaitlyn Allums has come in and filled in for Palee with two pretty good games,” said West. “And that’s going to help us when Palee does come back, playing through this adversity.”

Cold Springs had to overcome a first-quarter deficit and a tough night at the free throw line to stay unbeaten. The Eagles trailed 19-12 at the end of the first quarter and finished just 14-for-26 from the charity stripe.

The game changed quickly in the second quarter, when Cold Springs outscored Holly Pond (4-1) 21-4. The Eagles started the period on a 9-0 run and ended it with 10 unanswered points.

But for the other three quarters, Holly Pond looked ready to pull off the upset.

Trailing by 13 points in the fourth quarter, the Broncos went on a 13-2 run, capped by Haley Terry’s two free throws, to close within 47-45. After a free throw by Crider, Holly Pond’s Haley Bagwell sank a basket to make it a one-point game with just over a minute left to play.

But the Broncos would come no closer.

“This summer, we had a one-point game with them — and that was with Palee,” said West. “So we knew since the summer that this was going to be a tough game.”

Georgia Myrex agreed.

“Holly Pond is a great team, and Coach (Scott) Adams, he’s a great coach,” she said. “And we knew that they would be prepared for us. So we knew we would have to bring our A-game and play hard.

“And I’m so proud of my team because they all battled.”

Terry and Kelsey Hawkins finished with 15 points each to lead Holly Pond, which finished 9-for-11 at the free throw line. Bagwell and Alisha Keller added seven apiece, while Courtney Deese tossed in six points.

Cold Springs hosts Fairview on Tuesday, while Holly Pond visits West Point.

Good Hope 63, Fairview 54: In Good Hope, the host Raiders jumped out to a 20-7 lead after one quarter and held on to record a win over Cullman County rival Fairview.

Kayla Tillman poured in a game-high 26 points to lead Good Hope (2-1), while Sheila Shamblin and Ashley Stanley finished with nine apiece. Elizabeth Hardin and Kayla Elrod — who was making her return from a knee injury — scored six points each.

For Fairview (2-2), Alysha Smith scored 22 points, while Jazz Foust added 18 and Kacie Mangum had five.

The Aggies pulled within two points of Good Hope in the fourth quarter, but came no closer.

Cullman Christian 48, Florence Christian 32: In Florence, Cullman Christian stayed perfect on the year behind 14 points from Jordan Canaday, while Yancey York added 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Haley White had 12 points, Christine Aldijali recorded 11 steals and Janna Waddell added eight rebounds for the Lions (4-0), who led 11-2 after the first quarter, 22-17 at halftime and 33-23 heading into the fourth quarter.

Cullman Christian hosts Cahaba Christian on Tuesday, Dec. 1.

Varsity Boys

Good Hope 68, Fairview 60: The host Raiders got a game-high 21 points from Cameron Aycock while beating county rival Fairview.

Kyle Aycock tossed in 14 points, Scott Motes had 13 and Garrett Roberts added 12 for Good Hope (3-0), which led 20-13 after one quarter, 42-30 at halftime and 57-45 heading into the fourth quarter.

Trett Hardman paced Fairview (2-2) with 16 points, Jordan Fulmer had 11 and Nathan Ring added nine.

Good Hope travels to Hanceville on Tuesday for its first Class 3A, Area 12 game, while Fairview travels to Cold Springs.

Cold Springs 57, Holly Pond 48: Cold Springs remained undefeated, beating county rival Holly Pond on the road.

Justin Aby scored 16 points and Chayse Elliott added 14 for the Eagles (4-0), while Ryan Hardin finished with nine and Nathan Lamb added seven.

Cold Springs faces Oakman today at 9 a.m. in the first round of the Dora Classic.

For Holly Pond (1-3), Jacob Walker scored 13 points, Wesley Graham had 10 and Rodger Weaver added nine. The Broncos travel to West Point on Tuesday.

Brindlee Mountain 64, Fairview 44: The Aggies suffered their first loss of the season Thursday night on the road in Marshall County.

JV Girls

Holly Pond 39, Cold Springs 18: Holly Pond shut out Cold Springs in the second quarter on the way to the big win.

Taylor Terry scored 14 points and Kendra Moore added 10 for the Broncos, who led 20-5 at halftime.

Karlee Perdue led Cold Springs with 12 points.

JV Boys

Cullman Christian 39, Florence Christian 33 (OT): The Lions picked up a win in overtime after being tied at 31 after regulation.

Chase Albright led Cullman Christian with 14 points, while Curtis Bowen had 12.