PLANTERSVILLE — Dallas County boys’ basketball coach Willie Moore reached a milestone Tuesday that he admits he never thought was obtainable.

Moore’s Hornets routed Billingsley 68-24, giving him his 500th career coaching victory. Dallas County made every shot it took in the first quarter and led by 20 or more the rest of the way.

The Hornets turned the game into a blowout with defense, much in the same way Moore’s teams have irritated opponents for two decades. The Hornets used a full court press early and led 16-0 before Billingsley scored its first basket.

“I wish I could thank everybody — my former players, my current players, former assistant coaches, the coaching staff I have now, “ Moore said. “I’m just so thankful for my high school coach, Charles McCaleb. All that I know about basketball he taught me. He told me in high school I’d be a really good coach. Without him, I wouldn’t be in this situation.”

After the game, Dallas County principal Todd Reece awarded Moore a plaque to recognize his accomplishment. He was also given the game ball, which he said he’ll put with a signed ball he was given following Dallas County’s class 4A championship in 2014.

Moore’s career started at West Blocton, where he compiled a 35-17 record in two seasons. He then moved on to his alma mater, Bibb County, where he went 177-81 from 1997-20015.

At Dallas County, he’s posted a 288-47 record.

“If I don’t coach another game, I’m thankful that I got way more out of the game than what I gave to the game,” Moore said.

It’s ironic that he reached the milestone during one of his most challenging years on the sideline.

Moore has had only one losing season during his career, which occurred at Bibb County.

Just a few weeks ago, this year’s Hornets looked as if they might go down that same path. Dallas County was 5-11 and hadn’t shown a lot of signs of improvement.

Over the last two weeks, they’ve looked like a completely different team.

Dallas County won its third straight game Tuesday and dominated from start to finish. Twelve different players scored in all, led by Henry Baker’s 13 points.

Kedrick Wilson had eight points for the Hornets and LaDarius Furlow scored seven in the blowout win.

“I can say I’ve enjoyed coaching them the most because of the challenges,” Moore said. “Are we a finished product? No. I want to win, not for me, but for my players because it’s not about me. It’s about our kids. I’m only a good coach if my players are good.”

Dallas County led 29-3 after the first quarter and 44-17 at halftime. The clock ran the entire fourth quarter because of the mercy rule.

The score was further proof how much Dallas County has improved since the start of the season.

Moore credited his assistant coaches, including Cliff Nix, who have picked up the slack while he has taken on a new role as assistant principal that often takes up his time in the afternoons.

Dallas County plays Demopolis Thursday on family night. All tickets are $3.

 

Dallas County 43, Billingsley 36 (girls)

Dallas County overcame an early deficit to defeat Billingsley 43-36 Tuesday during an in school game.

The Hornets trailed by seven points in the second quarter, but rallied to take the lead in the quarter and held on from there. J’Keria Peterson knocked down a jumper and a 3-pointer on back-to-back possessions to turn a tied game into a 34-29 Dallas County lead.

The win gave Dallas County it’s first winning streak in years. The Hornets have won two in a row after also beating Ellwood Christian Friday night.

“They’ve got a little confidence within themselves,” said Dallas County girls basketball coach Charles Thompson. “They are starting to trust each other, starting to believe in each other. We were down seven or eight and instead of them dropping their head they kept playing, kept playing and we turned it around.”

After getting down early, Jorge’Undra Dower led the comeback for Dallas County. She scored eight points in the first half and 13 total for the game to lead the Hornets.

Dallas County trailed 18-11, but stormed back.

Jamerah Smith’s layup with three seconds left in the second quarter put the Hornets up 22-20 at the break.

Smith scored nine points in the game.

The game was back and forth to begin the third quarter before Smith’s 5-0 run put Dallas County ahead for good.