ORRVILLE — It’s not official yet, but the Keith Bears are all but guaranteed a spot in the sub-regional round of the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s 1A playoffs after Tuesday’s win over Ellwood Christian.

The Bears (16-4) jumped out to a 24-2 first half lead Tuesday and continued to pull away for a 71-23 win over Ellwood.

The win put Keith at 3-0 in class 1A, area 5 and the Bears have only an area game against Isabella remaining on Jan. 15. If Keith wins that game — or Isabella loses either of its games against Ellwood Christian — the Bears will host the area 5 tournament. Since area 5 only includes three teams, hosting the tournament also guarantees the host team an automatic spot in the sub-regional round of the playoffs.

“To be in that position on Jan. 5, it could be a gift or a curse but I’ll take it as a gift right now,” said Keith head coach Tommy Tisdale. “It’s where we wanted to be.”

John Pettway scored 12 of his 23 points in the first quarter and led all scorers in the game. Keith led 20-2 after the first quarter and 39-15 at the half.

“We came out slow and once you come out slow against a great team like this it’s hard to come back,” said Ellwood coach Darrell Walker. “When you start off slow like this, this is the end result.”

Walker said he doesn’t think Ellwood has ever won a game at Keith High School, and he knows it’s a riddle they’ll have to solve if the area 5 tournament is in Orrville later this year.

“We know it’s going to be right here and we’ve got to be able to win right here,” Walker said.

Ellwood’s highlight of the night came when Derrick Griffin beat the buzzer on a half court shot before halftime. Ellwood closed the lead to win 21 in the third quarter, but Keith quickly pulled away. The Bears led 63-21 at the end of the third quarter.

Tisdale said efforts like Tuesday’s all start on the defensive end of the floor.

“My guys know the fastest way to come off the court is if you don’t play defense,” Tisdale said. “That’s probably why we play so hard and get after lose balls because I’ve got 13 guys sitting behind me and if you don’t do it, there’s somebody back there that will.”

Keith will play at Southside Friday night. Ellwood Christian will play at Isabella Monday.

 

Keith 80, Ellwood Christian 14 (Girls)

ORRVILLE — For only the second time this season, the Keith Bears entered a game off of a loss Tuesday night against Ellwood Christian. Just like the first time, the Bears’ responded with a win.

Keith (18-2) blew out Ellwood Christian 80-14 on Tuesday in a key class 1A, area 5 game that wasn’t close from the opening tip. The win put the Bears in the driver’s seat in the area.

With only one area game left on the schedule — a home game against Isabella — the Bears have all but wrapped up hosting the area tournament. Since the area only has three teams, whichever team hosts is also guaranteed a spot in the sub-regional round of the AHSAA playoffs.

Ten different Keith players scored Tuesday, led by Harriet Winchester’s 16 points and Ambreya Snow’s 15. Shatavia Moore also added 14 points for the Bears. Keith head coach Cecil Williams said Tuesday’s game gave his team a chance to get back on track.

“They could play a little more relaxed and get that [loss] off their mind and get focused on what we need to do to improve,” Williams said.

The Bears 17-game winning streak ended Saturday in a 38-35 loss to Wilcox Central. The defending 1A state champions had no issues Tuesday, as they led 35-4 at halftime and 69-5 after three quarters.

“When you don’t practice, that’s what you get,” said Ellwood Christian head coach James Spears. “We’ve played one game in three weeks and when you only have two girls showing up at practice, that’s what you get. The same two show up every day but you have 11 show at the game, that’s what you get.”

Ellwood Christian (0-11) remains winless on the year.