Story By Cinthia Rico
DeKalb and Jackson County teams clashed over the Christmas holiday at the 2022 Sand Mountain Tournament at Section High School.
Showcasing a wide variety of local athletic talent, No. 1-seeded Plainview Varsity boys captured their seventh straight championship title defeating No. 2-seeded Geraldine behind a 3-point burst and a powerful defense.
Of the team’s SMT championship streak, Plainview head coach Robi Coker said, “Our guys put a lot of time in the gym, a lot of dedication, and to be able to come out and play that well in the finals, I was very proud of our guys.”
Dylan Haymon led the Bears with a game-high 27 points, including five 3-point shots and earning the SMT MVP.
Of their early advantaged Coker said, “I told them ‘let’s come out hot, really locked in and be aggressive early on.’” The Bears executed the challenge with momentum, creating turnovers and racking up 3-pointers.
The Bears led 49-22 at halftime and built a 72-46 advantage at the end of the third quarter.
With less than 10 minutes left of regulation, Coker cleared the bench as Plainview continued pushing forward.
Geraldine’s Connor Johnson paced the Bulldogs with 18 points, including four 3s. Jaxon Colvin added 11 points, and Lucas Bryant finished with eight points.
Three Jackson County teams took on DeKalb County teams. For the boys, No.5-seeded Pisgah fell short 66-40 against Fyffe, No.3-seeded North Sand Mountain was defeated 76-69 by Sylvania and Geraldine took out No. 7-seeded Section 78-60.
Looking at the varsity girls, top-seeded Plainview claimed their first SMT championship crown since 2016 after taking down No. 2-seeded Ider in a heated match.
Plainview girls head coach Luke Griggs said, “It feels great. It’s our first title in a while and my first one.”
Of the Bears’ second-half rally, Griggs said, “I think they were a little nervous going into the game, but we challenged them at halftime and hopped back on the train.”
Sawyer Hulgan scored 16 points for Plainview, earning SMT MVP honors. Hulgan netted four 3-pointers, Kami Sanders added 15 points, Lauren Jimmerson tallied 14 points, and Jackson had eight points for the Bears.
“I am super proud of our girls,” said Griggs. “They worked hard every day and they deserve it.”
Makinley Traylor paced Ider with a game-high 28 points, including five 3-pointers, along with a buzzer-beater that lifted the Hornets 20-16.
Carley Schlageter and Kennzie Smith each finished with five points apiece, Cambree Chapman had four, and KK Wilborn added three points for Ider.
For the girls, No. 8-seeded Section defeated Crossville 61-49 before falling 80-29 against Plainview, No. 5-seeded North Sand Mountain fell 69-94 to Sylvania and No. 3-seeded Pisgah was knocked out by Ider 63-46.
