Winfield’s Tinsley Franks goes for a lay up. Shown in the background is Anna Lynn.
By Luke Brantley
Staff writer
WINFIELD — The Winfield Pirates hosted teams from all around the area on Thursday and Friday, Dec. 29-30, 2022, during Winfield’s annual Christmas Classic.
Teams from Marion, Winston, Lamar, Walker and Lauderdale counties competed, and Lawrence County from Tennessee also traveled to play at the Winfield City High School gymnasium.
Brilliant’s girls were the first Marion County team to compete, taking on Lamar County on Thursday. The Lady Tigers lost 52-27.
Winfield’s Lady Pirates later on Thursday faced off against the Haleyville Lady Lions. Despite only having five players on their entire team, the Lady Lions defeated the Lady Pirates 52-13.
Winfield’s varsity boys team played the last game of Thursday night against Meek, which the Pirates lost 57-52.
Slate Gilbert scored the most points for the Pirates with 17 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals and 1 block. J.D. Boman scored 11 points along with 2 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal. Preston Nelson scored 9 points and made 1 rebound and 2 steals.
On Friday, the Winfield Lady Pirates played two games. In the morning, they took on the Shoals Christian Flame’s varsity girls. The Lady Pirates lost 56-47.
In their second game in the afternoon, the Lady Pirates turned things around with a 53-39 victory over Lynn.
Molly Elkins led the Lady Pirates in scoring with 23 points, 3 rebounds and 3 steals. Tinsley Franks scored 16 points and also grabbed 8 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 block. Miley Franks scored 6 points and ended the game with 2 assists and 2 steals.
Earlier on Friday, the Brilliant Lady Tigers played against Sulligent. The Lady Tigers lost that game 52-27.
Following that game, the Marion County Red Raiders made their first appearance at the Classic, facing the Lawrence County Wildcats. The Raiders lost 79-44.
Joe Aldridge was the Raiders’ top scorer with 14 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals. Jake Smith scored 10 points and came away with 3 rebounds and 1 assist. Landon Morrow scored 7 points and recorded 10 rebounds and 1 block.
In the final game of the tournament, the Pirates squared off against the Shoals Christian Flame. The Pirates lost 56-47.
After the Christmas Classic, the Pirates played against Shoals Christian, winning 66-46 on New Year’s Eve.
Gilbert led the way once more with 24 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals and 3 blocks. Chris Podmore scored 8 points and snagged 3 rebounds and 3 assists. Miles Miles scored 7 points and made 4 rebounds.
See complete story in the Journal Record.
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