WRESTLING
The Opelika wrestling team held the OPELIKA DUALS last weekend at the high school. Teams participating were Auburn, Wetumpka, Russell Co., Oxford, Grissom, Bob Jones (largest school in the state), Central, Prattville, Spain Park and Elmore Co.
Opelika finished with a 4-2 record beating Auburn, Wetumpka, Russell Co. and Oxford while losing to Grissom and Bob Jones, both finished in the top 5 in the state last season.
The Dawgs were led by Brian White (103), Cole McCarty (125) and Xavier Drake (171). All three wrestlers finished undefeated with a 5-0 record. Desmond Pulliam (112) went 4-1 to round out Opelika’s top four.
The win over Oxford was special for Opelika head coach Ryan Thompson because his older brother, Matt, was their head coach. Matt is 5 years older than Ryan taught him how to wrestle in junior high. “We get along well but we are competitive when we wrestle each other team” said Ryan as he chuckled about the win. Thompson was pleased with the Dawgs performance overall as they prepare for the sectional meet Feb. 5-6 at Auburn High school.
The state meet is Feb. 11-13 for the wrestlers that qualify in the sectional.
Basketball
Opelika’s varsity boy basketball team continues to roll with a 21-4 record, a number 7 ranking in the 6A state poll and have as many wins (21) as any team in the state.
The Dawgs won games over Valley and area foe Smith Station last week and finished 2nd in the area behind Central and will have to win 1 game in the tournament to make the state playoffs. If the Dawgs win the tournament they will host the 1st round game at the sports arena.
O.H.S. vs. Valley
Behind four player scoring in double digits Opelika beat Valley 73-67 in Fairfax.
Jacoby Payne scored 20 points, LaDecker Johnson 13 while Tay Calloway and Montrez Hunter added 10 apiece to lead the Dawgs.
O.H.S vs. Smith Station
The Bulldogs pounded Smith Station 87-43 in the last are game before the tournament.
All 13 player scored while Eric Dowdell led the team with 14 points while teammates Montrez Hunter scored 12 and LaDecker Johnson had 11.
Opelika will play the last 2 regular season games January 29 at home against Jeff Davis (7p.m.) and January 30th at Loachapoka in a 6:00 start.
GIRLS
The varsity girls basketball team lost 2 games last week against Valley and Smith Station to drop to 12-10 on the season.
OPELIKA vs. Valley
The Rams beat O.H.S. 52-44. Kayla Whatley scored 12 points and teammate Jasmine Hurst added 11 points.
O.H.S. vs. Smith Station
The Smith Station Panthers downed Opelika, 61-48. The girls were led by Gabby Clifton 10 points.
Central will host the area tournament which starts Feb. 4th. The lady bulldogs must win a game to qualify for the state tournament.