Elba returns to Holiday Prep Classic to win

OZARK — Elba made its return to the Dothan Progress/Dothan Eagle/Southern Star Holiday Prep Classic a highly successful one Saturday night at the Ozark Civic Center.

Behind solid defense, the Tigers rolled to an convincing 63-31 win over struggling Luverne to earn its first tournament win since 1990.

The game was the first at the Holiday Prep Classic for Elba since 1991.

The win continues a strong first-half of the season for Elba, not normally known for basketball. The Tigers improved to 8-3 with Saturday’s win.

“This is a new-look Elba team. We got a make over,” Elba first-year head coach Alonzo Barkley said. “We started off with a new mentality. Elba has always had athletes. It was just the inside (heart) that needed a little bit of work.

“These guys made their choices early on and we are seeing the results.

“I told them before the game that this game wasn’t going to be won by strategy, but by who played the hardest.”

The Tigers advanced to play unbeaten Eufaula, ranked fourth in Class 5A,  in Monday’s second round.

“I look at it as any team can lose on any given night,” Barkley said. “All I am concerned about is my guys and if we are ready to play.”

The Tigers came out ready to play Saturday, scoring on a 3-pointer by Gavin Respress in the opening 30 seconds and never trailing.

Fueled by a man defense in the first half and a box and one (diamond) defense in the second half, Elba kept Luverne (5-5) at bay throughout the night.

Luverne helped out plenty, constantly throwing passes out of bounds and missing close-range shots, especially after offensive rebounds.

Luverne finished with 26 turnovers, nine coming in the first quarter, and made just 10-of-43 shots (23.2 percent). It also made only 10-of-19 free throws.

The final 31 points by Luverne matched the ninth lowest in the tournament’s 26-year history.

Nine of Elba’s 10 players scored with Jason Mitchell leading the way with 11. Quenton Caldwell had nine.

Luverne had eight players score, led by Morrease Barber with eight.

Elba led 12-4 at the end of the first quarter as Luverne had nine turnovers and was able to attempt only two shots, missing both. All four points came on free throws.

Elba increased the margin to 29-9 at halftime and led 39-22 after three quarters.