JAKE MITCHELL NAMED ALABAMA'S 2A PLAYER OF THE YEAR; SIGNS BASKETBALL SCHOLARSHIP WITH FAULKNER UNIVERSITY

The Alabama Sports Writers' Association has tabbed senior Jake Mitchell as the Class 2A Player of the Year in Boys' Basketball. Jake averaged 18.5 points per game. He also added 7.9 assists and nearly 5 rebounds per game. After weighing several offers, Jake signed to play college basketball with Faulkner University in Montgomery. Faulkner's coach, Scott Sanderson, was in Florence for the April 14 signing ceremony.

PANTHERS FINISH SEASON THIRD IN STATE WITH 28-4 RECORD

It was close. But in the end not even an amazing performance by senior point guard Jake Mitchell would help. Jake scored 33 points (11-20 FGs and 10-10 FTs, grabbed seven rebounds and added five assists) but the Panthers dropped a 72-66 decision to Houston County in the semifinal game of the Final Four Tournament at the BJCC. Steven Thomas added 14 points and Springer McArthur had six.

The Panthers earned their berth in the BJCC by winning the Northwest Regional in Hanceville. MHBS stopped No. 8 Cold Springs 42-41 in the semi-finals and defeated Tanner 50-47 in the finals. In both games, the Panthers forced their opponents into awkward shots and numerous turnovers to win.

In addition to the area, sub-state and region titles, they were champions of the Bracy Holiday Invitational held at Deshler HS that included wins over 6A Florence (69-64 in OT), 3rd-ranked 1A R. A. Hubbard (75-74) and 3A Sheffield (64-50). They defeated Brooks 57-38 in the final week of the regular season. MH also won the area with an 8-0 record.

The Panthers averaged 68.0 ppg while holding opponents to only 45.5 ppg. Leading scorers were Steven Thomas (13.0 ppg), Josh Wear (10.4 ppg) and Jake Mitchell (15.2 ppg).

JAKE MITCHELL NAMED TO ALL-STATE TOURNAMENT TEAM

Senior point guard Jake Mitchell was named to the 2A All-State Tournament Team. He is now weighing several college scholarship offers.

GIRLS COMPLETE SEASON

Coach Ashley Rutledge's Lady Panthers finished their season with an 8-16 record and a team that includes mostly freshmen and sophomores. They were 4-4 in area play and 7-8 against A-2A opponents. Their biggest win was a 47-40 road win against Red Bay. Caraline Grossheim was the leading scorer (11.6 ppg) for the Lady Panthers and Morgan Leavitt was second (6.8).

EYEING THE BASKET!

 

Focus! Effective free-throw shooting demands concentration. Lady Panther Caraline Grossheim is the team's most accurate shooter.

 

 

 

BASKETBALL TIDBITS:

• Current boys' coach, Mr. Mike Mitchell, has a career record 645 wins (with only 196 losses) at both MHBS and Greater Atlanta Christian. He has coached five Alabama state championship girl's teams at MHBS and three Georgia state championship teams at GACS. He has also coached two teams (one at each school) that earned state runners-up honors.
• The first MH team to reach the state tournament was the 1962-63 boys' team (25-9) coached by Mr. Charles Beavers.
• AREA TITLES: The boys teams have earned Area titles 21 times; 14 times they have been area runners-up. The Lady Panthers own 16 Area titles and have finished second seven times.
• TOP FINISH IN BOYS STATE TOURNAMENT: State runners-up in 1995-96 (29-3, coach: Mr. David Willingham) and in 2000-2001 (31-7, coach: Mr. Tony Willis).
• GIRLS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS: 1978-79 (22-6, coach: Mrs. Beth Brewer), 1987-88 (23-6, coach: Mr. Mike Mitchell), 1988-89 (31-4, coach: Mr. Mike Mitchell), 1989-90 (32-2, coach: Mr. Mike Mitchell), 1990-91 (26-6, coach: Mr. Mike Mitchell), 1995-96 (28-3, coach: Mr. Mike Mitchell), 2004-2005 (21-9, coach: Ms. Cindy Caudle). MH won 34 consecutive playoff games from 1987-1992.
• ALL-TIME LEADING SCORERS (GIRLS): Karen Killen (2,475); Sarah Bailey (2,023); Susan Berry (1,846); Lora Turner (1,821); Kerrie Myers (1,722); Kristi Johnson (1,604); Amanda Thompson (1,342); Brooke Morrow (1,129); Lisa Branscome (1.013).
• ALL-TIME LEADING SINGLE SEASON SCORING AVERAGES (BOYS): Dickie Gray (30.5, 1960-61); Dustin Wright (27.4, 1992-93); Greg Tyon (24.9, 1979-80); Kyle Mitchell (23.0, 2001-2002).
• ALL-TIME LEADING 3-POINT SHOOTERS (BOYS): Dustin Wright (188); Bradley Willis (147); Matthew Harrison (143); John Mann (136); Josh Willingham (133); Luke Copeland (118); Mitchell Barnes (103); Garrett Turner (102); Bart Holt (100); (GIRLS): Baylee Jeffrey 68; Trella Townsley (66); Darby Rappuhn (51).
• COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS: The boys' team has reached the Lauderdale County championship game 22 times and have won five titles; the Lady Panthers have reached the county finals thirteen times and have won three county titles.