Basketball season overview: Russellville Golden Tigers
BOYS
The Russellville Golden Tigers are working hard to prepare for the 2022-23 season under head coach Patrick Odom.
This year will be Odom’s eighth as the leader of the program, and his teams have been regular participants in the sub-regional round of the Class 5A playoffs. RHS has won the area tournament two straight seasons – and with super-talented squads like Mae Jemison and Lee-Huntsville moving to 6A this year, Odom said the Golden Tigers hope to advance even further into the playoffs.
“We’re very proud and feel like we’ve built a very consistent program since we’ve been here, but we’re hungry for more,” Odom said. “Our cross-area is always difficult, and that’s the step. It starts with an area championship, and that’s the first goal. I think this team is really hungry to take the next step.”
RHS has a roster that features a mixture of experience and newcomers to the varsity team. Players with varsity experience include Conner Warhurst, Amir Williams, Malachi Duncan, Bralynn Vincent and Tilmon Baker.
Odom’s teams have historically played with strong effort and quickness, and this season’s squad should be no different. “We like this group,” Odom said. “We feel like we’ve got a lot of guys who can contribute, and this might be the deepest group since I’ve been at Russellville.”
RHS will be participating in Class 5A, Area 15, along with Brewer, Lawrence County and West Point.
GIRLS
Russellville’s girls are looking to take the next steps in the process of building a consistent winning program.
Head coach Jermaine Groce has a squad this year that has been working hard to make their mark. The 2022-23 team includes two seniors, both of whom have a lot of playing experience. Jenna Whitfield is back at the guard position; Groce said she plays with tremendous effort and is able to help on both ends of the floor. Anna Beth Oliver has shown the ability to shoot from beyond the three-point line and can get open, Groce added.
“We’re looking for them to help carry us some offensively and allow them this year to step up their leadership roles,” Groce added.
Ella Copeland is another guard, and Groce said she has unlimited potential. The eighth-grader got varsity playing time a year ago, and don’t be surprised if she has a breakout season for the Lady Golden Tigers.
Two additional experienced varsity athletes are Jacey Moore and Avery Watts. Both are juniors, and each has the ability to defend, rebound and score in the paint or from the outside.
“We’ve got a real competitive, feisty group,” Groce said. “Practices have been hard and really physical. We’ve got some new additions to the roster, and we’re returning a lot of offensive firepower and a lot of our starters from last year.”
A goal for Russellville is to be competitive and to pick up the ability to put away teams in games that are close. “This year, I’m looking for more consistency in closing out games,” Groce added.
The RHS girls will also compete in Class 5A, Area 15 with Brewer, Lawrence County and West Point.
RHS BOYS ROSTER
Conner Warhurst, Senior
Tillman Baker, Senior
EJ Jones, Senior
Malachi Gholston, Senior
Malachi Duncan, Junior
Amir Williams, Junior
Braylnn Vincent, Junior
KJ Murray, Junior
Mike Young, Junior
Gavin Hyde, Junior
Jah Williams, Sophomore
RHS GIRLS ROSTER
1 Ella Copeland, Eighth grade
3 Jenna Whitfield, Senior
4 Avery Watts, Junior
5 Kaylee Hamilton, Sophomore
10 Samia Bell, Junior
11 Laila Hill, Freshman
23 Anna Beth Oliver, Senior
24 Desiree Medina, Junior
34 Jacey Moore, Junior
45 Aleah Bonman, Sophomore
SCHEDULE
Nov. 12 Tharptown Tournament (Girls) – Away
Nov. 18 Central-Florence – Home
Nov. 21 Colbert County – Away
Nov. 22 Jasper – Away
Nov. 23 Belgreen (Girls) – Home
Nov. 28 Deshler – Away
Nov. 29 Florence – Home
Dec. 2 Hamilton – Away
Dec. 5 Deshler – Home
Dec. 6 Haleyville – Away
Dec. 9 Brewer – Away
Dec. 10 Red Bay – Away
Dec. 13 Hamilton – Home
Dec. 16-20 TimesDaily Classic (Boys) – Away
Dec. 26-28 Bracy Invitational (Boys) – Away
Dec. 26-28 West Morgan Tournament (Girls) – Away
Jan. 3 Colbert County – Home
Jan. 6 West Point – Home
Jan. 10 Brewer – Home
Jan. 13 Lawrence County – Away
Jan. 16 Jasper – Home
Jan. 20 West Point – Away
Jan. 24 Haleyville – Home
Jan. 27 Lawrence County – Home
Jan. 30 Red Bay – Home
Jan. 31 Belgreen (Girls) – Away
Feb. 2 Central-Florence – Away
Feb. 3 Florence – Away
Feb. 6-10 Girls Area
Feb. 7-11 Boys Area
