Class 7A Area 3 Tournament Preview: Matchups and Players to Watch
As the regular season comes a close, every team has their eyes set on taking home a state championship trophy. However, in order to do that, they must first make it out of the area. This is the case for the Class 7A teams in Area 3, which is made up of Lee-Montgomery, Prattville, Jefferson Davis, and Enterprise. The semifinals will begin on February 5, 2019, at Lee-Montgomery High School, starting at 5:00 pm followed by the second game at 6:30 pm. The championship game will take place on February 7, 2019, at 5:00 pm.
Area 3
Lee-Montgomery Generals: After an impressive season, the Generals are no doubt looking to make a run in this year’s state tournament. With a 25-3 overall record and a 5-1 area record, the Generals are playing some really good basketball. At one point in the season, Lee-Montgomery went on a 17-game win streak, before losing to McGill-Toolen 64-45. After that, they were handed their first and only area loss from Enterprise on the road, falling 63-57.
Players to watch out for from Lee-Montgomery are Demond Robinson and De’Marquiese Miles. Robinson is ranked #5 by Prep Hoops Alabama for the Class of 2019 and a Murray State Commit. He put up 25 points, 14 rebounds, and 7 blocks against Prattville in January. Miles is ranked #32 by Prep Hoops Alabama for the Class of 2020. He put up 22 points against #10 ranked Enterprise earlier this season. Both Robinson and Miles have also been nominated for the Gatorade Player of the Year.
Lee-Montgomery will play Prattville on February 5, 2019, at 5:00 pm at Lee-Montgomery High School.
Enterprise Wildcats: With an impressive overall record of 23-7 and a 4-2 area record, the Wildcats are hoping that they can make a deep run in the state tournament this year. They lost to Lee-Montgomery on the road 70-51 and lost at home to Jefferson Davis by just 5 points. They did have an impressive win over Lee-Montgomery later on in the season, taking home the victory 63-57.
Players to watch to watch out for from Enterprise are Ja’Juan Hayes and Dallas Howell. Hayes is ranked #76 by Prep Hoops Alabama in the Class of 2019 and Howell is ranked #51 for the Class of 2020. Howell had 40 points, 13 rebounds, and 3 blocks in the Downton Dothan Hoops Classic this Christmas. Hayes had 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists earlier this year against Northview. This duo is going to be hard to stop this tournament season.
Enterprise will play Jefferson Davis on February 5, 2019, at 6:30 pm at Lee-Montgomery High School.
Jefferson Davis Volunteers: The Volunteers haven’t had the best season this year, with a 9-18 overall record and a 3-3 area record. At one point, Jefferson Davis was on a 5-game losing streak and scrambling for answers. The Volunteers lost to Lee-Montgomery once by 15 points and again by 16 points. They also fell to Enterprise on the road by 5 points. However, later in the season, they did have a very impressive 58-44 win over Enterprise at home. Jefferson Davis will be playing Enterprise in the area tournament, and with a one and one split when playing each other, and at a neutral location, this matchup should be a good one.
The player to watch for from Jefferson Davis is Demonta Martin. Martin put up 27 points against Carver earlier this season, and can definitely get a hot hand! Jefferson Davis is looking to climb their way out of a tough slump and make a run in the area tournament.
Jefferson Davis will play Enterprise on February 5, 2019, at 6:30 pm at Lee-Montgomery High School.
Prattville Lions: The Lions are having a tough year, with a 12-18 overall record and a 0-6 area record. They lost to Lee-Montgomery 74-49 and then again 74-51. They also lost to Jefferson Davis 53-47 and 55-46. Enterprise defeated Prattville 55-44 and 59-29. Despite a few close games, the Lions were never able to get an area win and are going into the area tournament looking to avenge their regular season losses.
Players to watch out for from Prattville are Jordan Hester and Keshawn Pickett. Hester put up 14 points against Benjamin Russell, including 4 three-pointers. Pickett has committed to Butler Community College as a defensive back for their football team, and will definitely provide some athleticism for the Lions, who will be looking to avenge a tough season of area play.
Prattville with play Lee-Montgomery on February 5, 2019 at 5:00 pm at Lee-Montgomery High School.