By Quintin Harlan, Herald Bulletin Sports Writer
ANDERSON — It was an Indians sweep at the Wigwam on Monday in the first round of the 2009 Madison County Basketball Tournament.
In the girls contest, the Lady Tribe came out on top with a 68-42 decision over Alexandria. In the boys contest, the Indians put four players in double figures as they won 93-62 over the Tigers.
And coupled with the Highland victories over Lapel, the city rivalry will be renewed today and Wednesday at Robert E. Fuller Memorial Gymnasium.
Highland’s girls downed Lapel 47-35, while the Scots’ boys squad prevailed 70-59. Both games will be at 6 p.m. today and Wednesday.
In the girls contest, Alexandria’s Katie Fowler led the team with 26 points. She was the only Tiger in double digits. The next highest total by anyone in an Alexandria uniform was four points.
For Anderson, Bryesha McCullough and Janelle Davis both eclipsed the 20-point plateau. McCullough scored a team best 26 points. Davis added 21 points.
Anderson connected on just 24-of-60 from the field. Alexandria wasn’t much better hitting on just 17 of 46 attempts.
The Lady Tribe outboarded the Lady Tigers 44-34. Ci Ci Menefield had a game-high seven rebounds.
In the boys tilt, Troy Taylor led all scorers and rebounders with game highs of 28 points and 14 boards. He hit 11-of-22 field goals.
Josh McGhee was next with 20 points. The 6-foot-1 junior hit 4-of-5 from 3-point range. Daniel Froedge connected on 6-of-11 shots for 19 points. Roshawn Nunn rounded out the Tribe quartet with 10 points.
The Lady Tribe’s game got off to a slow start as the game’s first points weren’t put on the board until the 5:27 mark as Fowler hit a jumper in the lane. Alexandria led 14-11 at the first stop with Fowler providing the bulk of the offense as she scored 10 points in the opening frame.
Anderson answered back with a 22-point second quarter. McCullough hit 5-of-6 from the field, including a three, for 11 points in the frame. Janelle Davis scored 10 points in the first half.
“I thought in the second quarter we played like we’re capable of,” said AHS girls coach Randy Harrison. “I thought we did a better job of sprinting back. I was glad to see Janelle step up; practice has paid off for her.”
In the boys contest, Anderson found its offense early from the perimeter as Josh McGhee, Froedge and Taylor all scored from beyond the arc.
Anderson was ahead at halftime 52-40, but all was not well in the Indians’ locker room at halftime.
“I thought we didn’t D it up in the first half. And a large part of that is a credit to coach Cone and Alexandria with their back cuts and their execution,” said AHS boys coach Ron Hecklinski. “I felt our offense came easy and we just wanted to play offense. We need to get back to playing both phases of basketball, offense and defense.”
Alexandria got 20 points from Matt Johnson to lead the Tigers’ scoring. Zach Yeagy added 18 points. Bobby Yeagy chipped in with 12 points.
Anderson shot 35-of-66 from the floor; included in that was a 9-of-19 performance from 3-point range. The Indians won the battle on the boards 34-31.
Alexandria converted 22-of-46 field goals and 17 out of 26 free throws.
The Anderson teams will now turn their attention to their respective go-arounds with the cross-town rivals.
“I thought that the semifinal would be a tough game either way,” said Harrison. “But I’m happy to be playing Highland.”
“I’m glad we’re playing Highland,” said Hecklinski. “Anytime we get to play Highland, I’m pumped up and our players will be pumped up for them.”
