Amos comes up big for Warriors in win at Alexandria

Report courtesy of East Alabama Sports Today

ANNISTON – Jack Amos made a living on the football field having people underestimate him because of his size. Being the smallest guy on the basketball floor has its advantages, too.

For one, you can sneak into places unnoticed and come up with the big play.

That’s what happened in the final minute of Cherokee County’s matinee with Alexandria Saturday.

Amos quietly slipped in behind everyone when the defense was focusing on Cade Hopper shooting in the corner, easily collected the rebound and even more easily laid in the putback that put the Warriors ahead for good in an eventual 61-58 victory.

The putback came with 54 seconds left and broke a 58-58 tie. Amos added a free throw with 14.4 seconds left for the final margin. He finished with 29 points.

It was understandable the Valley Cubs defense gravitated toward Hopper on that shot. He had hit two 3-pointers from the spot in the second half, the last one with 1:35 to play that gave the Warriors a 58-55 lead.

Alexandria had a final chance to force overtime, but little time to make it happen. The Valley Cubs had the ball under the goal with 1.5 seconds to play and had to go the length of the floor.

Running a play that similar to Piedmont’s game-winner in its game with White Plains the night before, Jaylen Henderson lobbed the ball to midcourt for Antonio Ross in hope of getting it to one of the wings. The toss was a little long and Malachi Horton broke it up as time expired.

Jacob Cornejo added 12 points for the Warriors. Drake Davis and Evan Snow had 14 points each to lead Alexandria.

The Cherokee County girls used a big second half to win their game 60-40. The Lady Warriors held a two-point halftime lead and outscored their hosts 35-17 in the second half.

Freshmen Ellison Givens and Nevaeh Gaidurgis led the way with 19 and 15 points, respectively. Gaidurgis had 13 points in the second half and Givens had 10. Mary Hayes Johnson also scored in the double figures for the Lady Warriors, netting 13.

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