West Point, Alabama – In an exciting night at Jim Boyd Gymnasium, the West Point Warriors and Lady Warriors celebrated their home openers with impressive victories over local rivals, Hanceville. The Lady Warriors showcased their resilience, overcoming a sluggish first half to dominate Hanceville 59-35, while the Warriors, propelled by an outstanding performance from Maddox Chapman, secured a 73-47 win in the boys’ match.
Before the girls’ game commenced, Lady Warriors Head Coach John Welborn received accolades for achieving his 200th career win at West Point, previously recorded during their game against Holly Pond last Friday. After Tuesday’s victory, Welborn’s overall coaching record improved to an admirable 201-104.
In the boys’ game, the first quarter began with Hanceville’s Drake Bentley earning an early lead with a three-pointer and free throws. Nonetheless, both Maddox Chapman and Cade Welborn sparked a comeback, and the Warriors finished the first quarter ahead, 15-13. After a strong second quarter highlighted by a 9-0 scoring run, West Point managed to extend their lead to 30-20 at halftime. The Warriors continued to build their advantage throughout the second half, with Chapman leading the team by scoring an impressive 33 points, supported by consistent performances from Welborn and Shelton.
The girls’ game also saw a thrilling back-and-forth start, with the lead changing hands multiple times in the first half. However, the tide turned in the second half as West Point surged ahead with an aggressive offensive display. Camryn Faulkner led the charge with 20 points, while her sister Jaelyn contributed 19. Their efforts guided the Lady Warriors to a comfortable victory.
Looking ahead, the West Point Warriors and Lady Warriors will seek to maintain their momentum as they prepare for their next games. West Point will host Fairview, while Hanceville will face Oneonta on Thursday. The local teams have shown promise and potential, creating anticipation for the remainder of the season.
The successful home openers reflect not just strong performances on the court, but also the community’s support for their teams, creating a lively and encouraging atmosphere for players and fans alike. With such talent on display, the future of West Point basketball looks bright.