Lions Basketball Clinch Regular Season Title

Hanceville, Ala. — The Wallace State Community College men’s basketball team clinched the 2024-2025 Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC) regular season title at home this week with a commanding 108-74 victory over Coastal Alabama-South. The women’s team also celebrated a decisive win, defeating Coastal Alabama 84-50.

The reigning ACCC Champions, the Lions came out strong, leading 55-34 at halftime. Key players included sophomore Antonio Cochran of Columbus, Ga., who was nearly perfect from the field, scoring 23 points on 9-10 shooting, including 5-5 from beyond the arc. Sophomore Authur Johnson of Carrollton, Ga., also contributed significantly with 19 points and 6 rebounds.

The Lions maintained their momentum in the second half, outscoring the Coyotes 53-40. Sophomore Christian Thompson of Birmingham was a force on the boards, grabbing 10 rebounds and adding 11 points. Sophomore Josh Paige of Eufaula facilitated the offense with 8 assists, while freshman Sawyer Griffin of Huntsville added 16 points.

Wallace State's shooting was impressive, hitting 53.9 percent from the field and 46.5 percent from three-point range. They also shared the ball well, recording 24 assists as a team. Their defense was solid, forcing 12 turnovers and grabbing 9 steals.

Lady Lions Defeat Coastal Alabama-South 84-50

Wallace State set the tone early, leading 22-12 after the first quarter and extending their lead to 46-25 by halftime. Sophomore Kallie Tinker of Pisgah led the Lady Lions, scoring 20 points, including six three-pointers. Freshman Kameron Sanders of Birmingham contributed significantly with 16 points and 5 rebounds.

The Lady Lions continued their dominance in the third quarter, outscoring Coastal Alabama 20-6. Despite a stronger fourth quarter from Coastal Alabama, Wallace State maintained their lead, finishing the game with an 84-50 victory. Freshman Sinaya Gibson of Tuscaloosa added 13 points and 6 rebounds, while freshman Idaysia Mercer of Jasper led the team with 6 assists.

Wallace State's defense was solid, limiting Coastal Alabama to just 39.2 percent shooting from the field. The Lady Lions also excelled in rebounding, grabbing 37 boards compared to Coastal Alabama's 29. Their three-point shooting was a highlight, with the team hitting 14 of 37 attempts.

The Lions and Lady Lions will play their last regular season game Thursday, Feb. 27 at Lawson State Community College, before competing in the ACCC Division I tournament, which will be held March 6-8 at the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

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About Wallace State

Wallace State Community College (Ala.), a member of the Alabama Community College System, is a comprehensive community college in north central Alabama offering more than 200 options in academic, health and technical programs of study leading to an associate degree, certificate or transfer, as well as workforce-credit training and adult education. An Achieving the Dream Leader College, nationally recognized by the Aspen Institute as a finalist for the 2025 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, ranked by Southern Business and Development among the Top 3 institutions in the South for workforce development, named a Center of Excellence by the National League for Nursing and the National Security Administration, rated the Top Online Community College in Alabama, a Military Friendly Institution and an All-Steinway School, Wallace State is an outstanding place for students to pursue their education and career goals. Classes are offered online and on campus, day, evening and on weekends, with numerous start dates each year. Visit Wallace State’s beautiful main campus located on 300-acres in Hanceville, Ala., our satellite location in downtown Oneonta, Ala., find us online at www.wallacestate.edu, or call 256.352.8000.