Piedmont had a large task ahead of them if they wanted any chance at giving the top ranked team in Class 3A a run for their money, but the Bulldogs definitely made it a relatively close one on Wednesday night at JSU’s Pete Mathews Coliseum.
The #9 ranked Piedmont boys (23-6) were up against the ever impressive #1 Plainview Bears (31-2) in a battle for the 3A Boys Northeast Regional Championship. While it was a game filled with the typical stylings anyone that has kept an eye on Plainview knows has turned them into one of the elite programs in the state of Alabama, the Bulldogs put on a showcase to try and best the top ranked 3A Bears, especially in the second half, before ultimately succumbing to 57-45 loss which gave Plainview another trip back to the Magic City for the State Tournament.
Piedmont’s efforts in the game were solidified in large part off the statistics of a pair of Bulldogs. TJ Fairs ended the game with 11 points off 4-10 shooting (3-7 from 3), 2 rebounds (1 offensive, 1 defensive), 1 assist, and 2 steals; Carl Myers added 10 points himself off 3-9 shooting (3-7 from long range, 1-2 from the FT line), 2 rebounds (1 offensive, 1 defensive), 4 assist, and 1 steal. On Plainview’s end, with so many sharp shooters it’s hard to highlight just 1 or 2, but our nods have to go to Haden White as he finished the game for the Bears with 15 points off of 5-10 shooting (5-9 from 3), 1 defensive rebound, and 2 assists; and Caden Millican with a near double-double performance with 12 points (5-10 shooting, 2-5 from 3), 9 rebounds (1 offensive, 8 defensive), 3 assists, and 1 steal.
The loss ends Piedmont’s season but in a year that first year head coach Odam will surely not forget. The talent on his team was clear cut in the action against Plainview and the Bulldogs might just be hanging around for a while side by side with the Bears atop to 3A Northeast Region.
For Plainview, it’s another chance to add to their successful story as they advance to the 3A Boys State Semifinals at the BJCC Legacy Arena in Birmingham, AL to take on #3 Prattville Christian on February 26th at 1:30 PM. We wish the Bears nothing but good luck in their quest towards the finals and the opportunity to win a State Championship in Class 3A.
PIEDMONT POST GAME AUDIO
PLAINVIEW POST GAME AUDIO
