As players for G.W. Carver watched, Sidney Lanier and Anniston battled for the title of the Dwight Madison Roundball Classic on Wednesday. (Staff Photo)

Staff Report
(Dec. 31, 2009)

It’s not every day the host team is prohibited from playing in its own holiday basketball tournament.

But such was the case this week when G.W. Carver watched as seven other teams battled in the Dwight Madison Roundball Classic at Faulkner University’s Tine Davis Gym.

Anniston, the defending Class 4A state champions, defeated Sidney Lanier, 66-55, on Wednesday, capping the tournament that featured seven teams in boys’ play and three in girls’ play.

The Carver boys are currently serving a probationary period implemented by the Alabama High School Athletic Association following last February’s altercation during the Class 5A Central Regional tournament semifinal game against Valley. The Wolverines are prohibited from participating in tournament play, including during the season as well as post season.

While he did not necessarily have ulterior motives, Carver coach James  “J.J.” Jackson practiced his team in the adjacent Multiplex on Monday and Tuesday, if only to remind his team of what they were missing.

 “Yeah, they knew what was happening,” Jackson said. “This wasn’t punishment or trying to get home a message. They already are aware of all of that. But it was good for other reasons. They like playing at a college… makes them feel like they are big time.”

While moving practices to Faulkner may have been logistically better for Jackson and his coaching staff, which were responsible for the management of the tournament, they players were well aware of what was happening a few hundred yards away.

“It hurts knowing the tournament is going on and we can’t play, but that’s part of the situation,” said Craig Sword. “We are trying to make up for it.”

The lack of tournament play will cost Carver 9-10 games this season, Jackson said.  Currently the Wolverines are 7-0 and looking like a team that could contend for a state championship… if given the chance.

Jackson and his team are hoping that the ban is lifted before the post season arrives in February. Since the altercation, Carver has taken steps to improve its reputation through speaking to youth groups, producing television public service announcements condoning good sportsmanship among other activities.

“I think we have done a good job on getting a grip on where we are,” Jackson said. “They understand how hard you have to work to get something back. You have to have the right attitude whether or not you feel like you have had something taken away from you unjustly… and I’m not saying we didn’t deserve what we got.

“We’ve all stepped our game up. We are doing what we have to do to help the kids realize that people are watching what they do.”

The message is having a positive affect. For the first time since Jackson took over as head coach, the boys’ basketball team had seven players make Honor Roll.

“We actually had arguments over who had the highest GPA,” Jackson said with a grin.

During the probationary period, Jackson said he has gotten plenty of moral support from coaches and administrators in the River Region. But it has been his wife who has been the biggest supporter.

“So many people have given us support,” Jackson said, “but my wife has been through this with me. She has been terrific.”

Carver could hear of a possible lifting of the ban by early January but Jackson said they will deal with the situation as it happens.

“If the lift it, that would be great and we would greatly appreciate it,” he said. “But if they don’t, we will abide by the ruling and keep moving forward.”

Anniston wins tourney

Despite the loss of eight players, including four starters from last year’s Class 4A state championship team, the Anniston Bulldogs looked sharp in their 66-55 win over Sidney Lanier in the finals of the Dwight Madison Roundball Classic at Faulkner University on Wednesday.

“We are just looking for progress each time we play,” said Anniston coach Schuessler Ware. “We are getting better. That’s all I can ask. They understand what the expectations are.”

Lanier is feeling its own growing pains after losing the majority of its players from last year’s state semifinal team. The Poets started three sophomores in the loss. Yet, making the finals was a positive for coach Floyd Mathews.

“We are learning a lot, trying a lot,” Mathews said, almost echoing his counterpart on Wednesday. “It’s no excuse that we have all new starters. They just have to get better and the way you do that is to play tough teams like we did tonight.”

The Poets (7-9) trailed by 10 at halftime and fell behind by as many as 14 in the third quarter before battling back to within five points in the fourth. But a 10-2 run allowed the Bulldogs (7-5) to increase the lead to 60-49 midway in the final quarter.

Darius Taylor led Anniston with 20 points. He was one of four players in double figures for the Bulldogs. Keith Braswell led Lanier with 15 points.