By SCOTT NICKERSON
For The Tribune
Every team has one of those bad games when it seems like nothing is going its way. Close shots that appear to be easy end up rolling off the rim, the rebound attempts are not timed right, or intended passes roll off fingertips.
Tallassee had one of those games against Prattville Christian Academy, losing 74-43 in the opening round of the Capital City Classic at Trinity.
The Tigers were off their game and were simply overwhelmed by an aggressive Panthers defense that converted almost every Tallassee turnover into points in the opening minutes of the game.
All the shots that rolled off the rim for Tallassee rolled in for PCA, and the Panthers maintained their high level of play throughout the game and the outcome was never in question.
Trayvon Skipper attempted to play despite feeling sick, but scored only one point on the night and couldn’t take control of the offense and calm his teammates down. As a result, the Tigers committed a rash of turnovers the hot-shooting Panthers used to take a 17-2 advantage just halfway through the first quarter.
“Trayvon was only about 60 percent,” Tallassee coach Samuel Mixson. “I hate it for him, I was really hoping he would get some good exposure with all these others fans and coaches here. He deserves it.”
Only Dorian Williams scored double figures for Tallassee, finishing with 10 points. Tyrek Turner had seven.
In stark contrast, PCA hit nine 3-pointers while Tallassee didn’t have any.
The win was the 10th in a row for the Panthers, a streak that has included wins over Wetumpka and Prattville.
“I told our team we lost to a very good team and we have to focus more on getting better every day instead of wins and losses,” Mixson said. “We have to be patient and it’s going to take some time.”
Up 70-30 heading into the fourth quarter, the Panthers sat their starters. Despite not playing in the final period, BJ Comer had 21 points and Cooper Meadows and Ben Segars both scored 17 for the Panthers.
Tallassee lost its second game of the tournament against the Jackson Aggies out of Mobile on Day 2, but finished the tournament with a dramatic 53-51 last-second win against Alabama Christian Academy.
Skipper returned to form in the finale, scoring 15 points and hitting the winning shot at the buzzer. Skipper was also named to the All-Tournament team.
The Tigers led by 10 points most of the game, but almost let the win slip away following a frantic comeback attempt by ACA. Fortunately for the Tigers, Skipper was feeling and playing better, and helped secure the win for Tallassee. The win improves the Tigers record to 5-9 on the season.
The Tigers return to action Friday at home against St. James.