Marengo Academy’s Junior High boys were invited to participate in the AISA 2A state Junior High Basketball tournament held at Wilcox Academy Jan. 21. The Longhorns went into the tournament as the No. 1 team. Also playing in this tournament were No. 2 Kingwood, No. 3 Meadowview, No. 4 Coosa Valley, No. 5 South Choctaw, and No. 6 Evangel. The first game for the boys was South Choctaw vs. Coosa Valley with the winner of the game playing Marengo. The second game for the boys was Evangel vs. Meadowview with the winner of the game playing Kingwood. The 5-man team from Coosa Valley defeated the South Choctaw Rebels 48-37. Meadowview’s team defeated Evangel 39-28. South Choctaw and Evangel were finished for the day.

The next game would be the Marengo Academy Longhorns taking on the Coosa Valley Rebels. The Longhorns fought against the Rebels and were down by 3 points in the first quarter. The second quarter the Horns outscored the Rebels and were up 23-22 at halftime. After the half, both teams fought hard to keep the game close and the Rebels led going into the fourth quarter 35-33. The Horns were unable to hold down the Rebels in the fourth. Coosa outscored Marengo 13-9 making the final score 48-42 Rebels. This advanced the five-man team from Coosa Valley to the championship game.

Meadowview had sent Kingwood home with a victory of 35-25, so the final game for the night was Coosa Valley against Meadowview. Coosa Valley won to claim the title of AISA 2A state champions for the junior high boys teams.

Stats for the Marengo vs. Coosa Valley game were: Chris Whitaker – 12 points, 11 rebounds, 5 steals, 1 assist; Beau Digmon – 5 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 assist; Trace Stenz – 3 points, 2 rebounds, 1 steal; Dustin McIntyre – 2 points, 6 rebounds; Wood Collins – 6 points, 2 rebounds, 1 steal; Matt Wallace – 2 points, 1 rebound, 1 steal, 2 assist; John Carlton – 12 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 assist. Also seeing action was Weldon Fultz.

Chris Whitaker named the All-Tournament team.

The Marengo junior high boys basketball team represented their school well and everyone is very proud of them. The team is coached by Danny Stenz, Charlie Willie, Eddie Edwards, and Mike Henderson. Team members are seventh graders No.15 Jeff Jones, No. 22 Matt Wallace, No. 23 Will Jones, and No. 32 Devin Walker; eighth graders No. 1 Matthew Cannon, No. 20 Wood Collins, No. 21 Michael Martin, No. 24 Weldon Fultz, and No. 33 Brandon Roberts; ninth graders No. 3 Chris Whitaker, No. 4 Beau Digmon, No. 12 Trace Stenz, No. 14 Dustin McIntyre and No. 25 John Carlton. Manager was Chandler Stenz. Stat keepers were Ralph Perkins and Coleman Carlton. Scorekeeper was Mrs. Raycelia McIntyre.