Enterprise topples Prattville in area matchup

Both the Enterprise Wildcats and Lady Cats basketball teams picked up crucial area wins last Friday, Jan. 21, against Prattville at home.

The No. 8-ranked Wildcats (17-5, 3-1) beat the Lions 59-47 after pulling away in the second half to tie Dothan for first place in Class 7A, Area 3. Enterprise took a 10-9 lead into the second quarter and stretched the lead to 26-15 at halftime. In the third quarter, Prattville cut Enterprise’s lead to 36-27 going into the fourth quarter, but the Wildcats went on a 10-0 run to open the fourth quarter and led by as many as 15 points at one point and ultimately captured the 59-47 area win.

Enterprise shot 48 percent from the field and Prattville shot 43 percent, while Enterprise outrebounded Prattville 27-24 and out scored the Lions 42-20 in the paint. The Wildcats also forced 20 turnovers and scored 21 points off those turnovers.

Senior Elijah Terry scored 12 points, grabbed five rebounds and dished three assists in the win, while sophomore Keion Dunlap scored 11 points and senior Tomar Hobdy scored nine points with three assists and three rebounds.

Terry has had an impressive senior year averaging 16 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and two steals so far this season and as a result has racked up a number of college scholarship offers. Enterprise State Community College, Coastal Alabama-North, Co-Lin Community College, Bishop State, Gadsden State, Snead State, Coastal Alabama-South, Spring Hill College and Alabama State University have all offered Terry.

The Wildcats have two more area games coming up with a chance to clinch home court advantage for the Area Tournament. Enterprise will host Dothan on Jan. 29 and travel to Prattville on Feb. 1 for the final area games of the season.

The Lady Cats (15-5, 4-1) also picked up an area win over the Lady Lions by a score of 44-35 to take control of first place in Area 3. The Lady Cats held on to a 9-7 lead going into the second quarter and led 19-15 at halftime. Prattville cut the lead to 28-25 going into the final period, but a feisty Enterprise defense forced a number of Lady Lions turnovers and outscored Prattville 16-10 in the final period to secure the 44-35 win. Enterprise earned 16 steals in the win.

Senior Joye Anderson led the Lady Cats with 16 points, while fellow senior Dashia Nelson scored 12 points and senior Jaida Gosha scored eight points.

While the Lady Cats haven’t received as much statewide recognition as the Wildcats have this season – the girls team has not been ranked in the Top 10 all season – they just keep winning in convincing fashion. Since December, the Lady Cats have won 12 of their last 14 games. They will travel to Prattville on Feb. 1 for a cha