Editor’s Note: This is the second half of a two part review of the top ten sports stories in Selma and Dallas County from the year 2014. The first half  of the year in review ran in Wednesday’s edition of the Times-Journal.

5. Meadowview moves to 8 man football

Due to a lack of depth and participation, Meadowview Christian moved to eight-man football in 2014. The school, a longtime member of the AISA, moved all of its sports to the Alabama Christian Athletic Association during the offseason. Meadowview was more competitive on the gridiron this season, but struggled down the stretch to finish 2-8.

The Trojans other teams — namely the Lady Trojans’ volleyball team — have been very competitive. Meadowview’s volleyball team finished third in the ACAA state championship tournament.

4. Woodie Jackson wins 700th game

Selma head boys basketball coach Woodie Jackson keeps making history. Jackson, who famously guided Francis Marion to four straight AHSAA championships from 1988-1991, claimed up his 700th coaching victory last season as Selma topped Demopolis Jan. 8. Jackson, who has six overall AHSAA championships, is nearing the 725 mark after a 13-3 start to the 2014-2015 season by his Saints. Although a top 10 list is not available on the AHSAA website, it is believed Jackson ranks among the top 12 all-time in coaching victories in the state.  Former R.C. Hatch Eugene Mason has the most coaching victories in AHSAA history with 919.

 

3. Eca wins playoff football game

Behind Times-Journal player of the year Jalen Furlow and coach of the year Eric Martinear, Ellwood Christian rebounded from a 2-8 2013 campaign to make the 1A playoffs. The Eagles won at J.U. Blacksher for the program’s first AHSAA football playoff win. Ellwood also hosted the school’s first football playoff game against eventual 1A runner up Billingsley, but lost 72-12 on a cold night at Memorial Stadium.

 

2.  Lee wins Mr. 

Basketball Award

William Lee, who also played a large part in the top sports story of 2014, deserves his own category as well. He was awarded the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s Mr. Basketball award, which is given to the state’s best boys’ high school basketball player and won the Alabama Gatorade Player of the Year award.

The 6-foot-9 forward finished his career tied for the National Federation of State High School Association’s record for blocked shots in a game (26). The 26 total, which happened during the 2011-2012 season, shattered the previous state record. Lee also has two other blocked shots performances that rank in the top 12 of the state record books.

He can lay claim to the best two seasons in AHSAA history for blocked shots in a season, with 505 in 2012-2013 and 402 in 2011-2012. He also recorded the fifth highest total (241) in 2013-2014. His final career total of 1,322 blocks obliterated the previous state record of 702.

He didn’t just block shots though.

During the 2013-2014 basketball season, Lee shot .779 from the field, which is a AHSAA state record.  He also has the 15th (85.4) and 18th (83.0) highest free percentages in a season and the sixth highest career free throw percentage in AHSAA history at 78.8 percent.

Lee, who was a top-50 recruit on numerous recruiting websites, signed with UAB and is currently starting for the Blazers as a freshmen.

 

1. Dchs wins class 4A boys 

state basketball championship

It wasn’t just that Dallas County won the school’s first basketball title — it was how the Hornets did it. In the final two games against J.O. Johnson and Madison County, Dallas County had to win in overtime.

Against J.O. Johnson in the championship game, the Hornets had to rally from a double digit deficit without two of their top three scorers. Both Jerrod Moorer and Raheem Phillips had fouled out.

Missed free throws from the Jaguars opened the door and Lee delivered, nailing a fall away three-pointer at the buzzer to send the game to overtime. Lee also put the game away, knocking in three free throws with 5.4 seconds left to give Dallas County a 51-48 victory.

Dallas County finished the season 29-3 and started the 2014-2015 season on a six game winning streak. Altogether, the Hornets won 24 straight games.