By JOSH FRYE
News Sportswriter
J.U. Blacksher’s Bulldogs notched their 20th win of the season after defeating Mobile Christian, 52-41, on January 23 and rival Southern Choctaw, 52-40, on January 24.
Led by school career points record-holder (1,684), K.D. Rabb, the Bulldogs entered a grueling week of basketball.
With high hopes of keeping this season’s successes alive, Rabb put up 24 points against Mobile Christian. Nettles also turned in a double-digit game, notching 16 points. Others who scored for the Bulldogs were J.T Tucker (6), Josh Peavy (4) and Dorien Quarles (2).
After disappointing the Leopards, Blacksher turned its attention to the Indians of Southern Choctaw in a must-win situation if hopes of hosting the area tournament would be realized.
Rabb once again topped the 20-point margin, scoring 21 points.
Tucker scored nine points; Nettles (7), Peavy (6), Quarles (5), Deon Hill and Elijah Smith (2 each) rounded out the scoring.
“We have to win against Leroy this week if we want to have a shot at hosting the area tournament,” JUB head coach Wes Sims said. “Leroy will be a test, along will Excel and Mobile Christian. If we can defeat both this week, we will be able to host the tournament for a second year in a row and hopefully have a different outcome than last season.”
The Bulldogs are currently ranked ninth in the Alabama Sportswriters Association’s state Class 2A rankings. LaFayette (22-0) is currently slotted at number one, with Fyffe (23-0) in the second-place position.
Due to press deadlines, coverage of the Tuesday, January 28 contest against Leroy will be published in next week’s edition of Atmore News.
The Bulldogs will face Excel this Thursday, January 30, and Mobile Christian this Friday, January 31.
Girls
The Lady Bulldogs also found a win against Southern Choctaw (64-43) last Friday, January 24. With the victory, the ladies of JUB improve to a 11-10.
“It was a big area win for us,” Coach Zach Smith said. “I feel like we are gradually getting better every game.”
Aniyah Tucker and Larri-Barbara-Turner-Watts scored more than 20 points each.
Tucker ended the night with 23 points; Watts followed, notching 21 points.
Other Lady Bulldogs that registered points were Kayley Burgess (8), Colby Hollinger (6), Tanna Spence (2), Chloe Johnson (2) and Jessie Risher (2).
“Our defense has stepped up on our press, and this momentum will help us next week,” Smith added. “It will come down between us and Washington County on who is to host the area tournament, so this is a big shift that we need going into this week’s games.”
The Lady Bulldogs will next travel to face Excel this Thursday, January 30.