Scott Nickerson
Elmore Autauga News
The Prattville boys basketball team earned two road wins this week over local rivals, going to Wetumpka and defeating the Indians 68-63 on Tuesday behind a monster performance by Deshawn Hall, who scored 38 points, collected 16 rebounds and had 6 blocks.
Friday night, the Lions traveled to Millbrook and defeated Stanhope Elmore 62-43. The win over the Mustangs was in front of a packed arena with standing room only at the start, but Prattville’s boisterous student section almost made it seem like a home game for the Lions. By the end, the crowds had cleared out as Prattville cruised to a blowout win.
“I believe the team played exceptionally well in a very hostile environment,” said Prattville Head Coach Letwan Hall. “The Prattville fans showed major support packing out the gym on our side. The team was ready for the challenge. Stanhope Elmore just scored 73 points last night against Pike Road, so to hold them to 43 was an excellent defensive performance.”
The Lions maintained a double digit lead throughout the entire game, going ahead 17-6 in the 1st quarter, and never looking back.
“Jersey Farbes our freshman had an electric start and really got us rolling with 15 points and 5 assists,” said Coach Hall. “Our player of the game was Damien Dickerson, a senior guard that had 12 points and 5 steals!”
Coach Hall knows the areas where he wants his team to improve. “We need to continue to defend and shoot the ball a lot better. We made a few three point shots, but we have to get much more consistent.”
In addition to Farbes and Dickerson, Prattville’s Deshawn Hall had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, and Anthony Cowling had 8 points and 12 rebounds.
Despite the big contributions from multiple players, Lions still experienced some adversity on the road. “My team talked of the ball not having enough air. Deshawn had a major problem with the ball tonight. He said it wasn’t coming up like normal. They checked the ball and did not change it.”
Prattville has some big games ahead on the schedule against very talented teams, to include Auburn, Central-Phenix City, Carver-Montgomery, and Hewitt-Trussville, in addition to several tournaments, including one in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, on December 26-27 for the Allen Iverson Classic. The tough schedule was designed in mind to help the Lions in the post-season.
“Our goal is to make history and win the first state championship in school history,” said Coach Hall. “I believe we have a major chance to win it all!”
