James Clemens Headed To Final Four; Boys Basketball Team Wants To Make History

HANCEVILLE- Open the history books of James Clemens athletics and you’ll find a fantastic placement of the 2021-2022 boy’s basketball team as the squad has made the school’s first ever appearance in the AHSAA Final Four Basketball State Tournament. The Jets advanced to the elite spot in the post-season playoffs by winning the Northwest Regional in Hanceville with a hard-fought 59-55 victory over Oak Mountain.

“Our players did a tremendous job all season long of buying in on what we wanted to do with this team as they want to etch their place in school history,” said Frankie Sullivan head coach of James Clemens.

The No. 10 ranked James Clemens Jets are set to face No. 1 ranked Baker of Mobile in the Final Four semi-final game on March 3. The top-ranked Hornets are 31-3 and bring tremendous guard play into the contest against the 19-9 squad from James Clemens.

“We will need to contain their guards and limit their possessions as they the heart of their play,” said Sullivan.

Against Oak Mountain, James Clemens trailed 35-29 at halftime, but a surge of outscoring their opponent 30-20 in the second half pushed the Jets to victory. Sullivan was excited to see his bench play come on like he hoped as the Jets scored 13 points from bench players compared to just two points by similar players for Oak Mountain. As for top scorers, senior Jordan Frazier (6-4, 160) was tops with 22 while freshman Simon Walker (6-2, 170) added 13.

“We played 10 players and most of them played tremendous defense for us, especially John Paul Gilmore (6-5, 180, Jr.) and Keenan Walker (6-3, 195, Sr.),” said Sullivan. “We’re just all proud to be where we are.”

Sullivan indicated this is where his team set their goal as they lost to Oak Mountain a year ago in a similar position. This season, his squad was not complacent and played that way all season long.

“I want to thank my entire coaching staff for making help this happen and our administration for giving me this job to begin with,” added Sullivan. “Our coaches don’t receive enough credit and our players know they are being led by a great group of coaches.”