PREP UPDATE: Tallassee's Mixson to step down at end of season; Valiant Cross wins ninth straight

COMBINED REPORTS

Tallassee coach Keiven Mixson announced that he will step down as the head basketball coach, according to the Tallassee Times.

In eight seasons, Mixson has won more than 100 games at Tallassee and is the second-longest tenured THS basketball coach only behind Woody Weaver, who coached from 1971-’87.

Mixson informed the team of his decision after a 78-57 loss at Stanhope Elmore on Tuesday.

“This was not an easy decision because I love coaching, building relationships with my players and chasing a state championship,” Mixson told the Tallassee Times. “My eight years at Tallassee have produced relationships that I will cherish the rest of my life. I will miss these relationships tremendously, but I feel I have reached the end here at Tallassee coaching and it’s time to give someone else the reins.”

Tallassee was winless in area play this season and enters the final game on Thursday with a 2-16 overall record.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Montgomery Academy 63, Catholic 35

Montgomery Academy used a strong defensive half, holding the Knights to 14 points, then extending a 28-14 halftime lead with a 20-7 run in the third quarter to put the game out of reach.

Brewer Welch led Montgomery Academy with 11 points, six assists, six steals and two rebounds, followed by Braden Gordon with 10 points and four rebounds, Skyler Stovall with nine points, five assists, five steals and five rebounds, Will Renfroe with eight points and three rebounds and DJ Vinson with six points, seven rebounds and two blocked shots. Jarrett Friendly also added six points and grabbed seven rebounds. while Cade Segars added seven points and had three steals.

Montgomery Academy finishes the regular season at 27-2 and returns home to host the area tournament semifinals on Monday and the area finals on Wednesday.

Valiant Cross 53, Evangel Christian 44

Valiant Cross won its ninth consecutive game and remained unbeaten in area play with a 53-44 win over Evangel Christian Academy on Tuesday in the Evangel gym.

D’John Wright scored 14 points and four rebounds for Evangel. Jordan Duncan added 10 points, one rebound, two assists and three steals. Desi Stovall had eight points and seven rebounds while Tylon Shine chipped in seven points, 10 rebounds, three assists, one steal and three blocked shots.

Valiant Cross improved to 6-0 in Class AA Region 1 Area 2 play, followed by Hooper (5-1), Evangel (3-3), Fort Dale (1-5) and Lowndes (0-6).

The Lions (15-5) will travel to Lowndes Academy on Thursday, while Valiant Cross (24-1) will travel to Hooper Academy on Thursday.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Catholic 58, Montgomery Academy 33

The Knights shook off a slow start by turning up the defensive pressure in the second quarter and holding Montgomery Academy to just one point as they turned a 27-12 halftime lead into a 25-point victory in the Catholic gym on Tuesday night.

Hannah Smith had 21 points, 11 rebounds and five steals to lead the Knights. Ajah Tuggle had 15 points and 16 rebounds and Heaven Bailey had 11 points, 10 assists and seven steals.

Bailey Davis led Montgomery Academy with 10 points and two assists, followed by Garland Thomas with seven points and two rebouds, Caroline Waller with six points and Kaci Armistead with six points, three rebounds an assist, two steals and a blocked shot.

Catholic (16-6) will play host to Brew Tech on Thursday to finish out the regular season before both teams open play in their respective area tournaments next week.

Montgomery Academy (10-16) will travel to St. James to face Alabama Christian in the 3A Area 5 semifinal on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.

WRESTLING

PCA holds Senior Night, splits with Beulah and Shades Valley

PRATTVILLE -- The Prattville Christian wrestling team held Senior Night on Tuesday, hosting Beulah, Houston Academy and Shades Valley.  

In the first dual, PCA lost to Beulah 40-30 and in the last dual  PCA beat Shades Valley 44-23.  

The Panthers had a number of wrestlers go undefeated on the night, including Jens Johnson, Elijah Harris, Spencer Perkins, Cole Young, Carter Copeland and Luke Fleming.  

The Panthers were down some wrestlers due to injury and sickness.  

PCA returns to action on Friday night with its last tri-match of the season as the Panthers host Montevallo and Elmore County.  Wrestling will start at 6 p.m.