AREA ROUNDUP: Auburn High splits at Benjamin Russell

The Auburn High boys beat Benjamin Russell on Friday night, 62-53, while the Tiger girls fell in the opener, 45-38.

For Auburn’s boys, Michael Willis scored a game-high 25 points, while Jason Webb and Will Walker chipped in with 12 apiece.

The Tigers improved to 10-10 and 2-1 in Class 6A-Area 8.

Tarnesha Stephens led Auburn’s girls with 19 points, while Olivia Cook added 10 in the loss. The Tigers fell to 12-6 overall and 2-1 in the area.

Auburn will travel to Stanhope Elmore on Tuesday.

Opelika’s girls beat Central
PHENIX CITY — Opelika’s Kayla Whatley scored 13 points and grabbed four rebounds in the Bulldogs’ 46-33 win over Central.

Ambreia Williams grabbed 12 rebounds and seven steals, while Kieara Dexter had 8 points, five assists and four steals in Opelika’s (8-9, 2-2 Class 6A-Area 7) win.

Quanteria James led Central’s girls with 9 points.

The Opelika JV boys team (5-5) also won, 32-31.

Ramorlo Fitch scored 11 points, while Ladarious Chapman and Jamario Mitchell scored 6 points apiece.

Opelika will travel to play Lanett today.

LSA splits with Macon-East
The top-ranked Lee-Scott Academy girls basketball team rolled over Macon-East, 77-42, while the No. 4 Warrior boys fell, 59-47.

For LSA’s girls (15-1), Melissa Maddox led the way with 27 points, while Jessie Washington scored 25 and Olivia Maddox chipped in with 15.

Taylor Rowell led the Lee-Scott boys (12-4) with 10 points and 11 rebounds, while Hayden Gunter scored 8 points.

Lee-Scott hosts Hooper Academy today.

Lanett drops Valley in rivalry game
LANETT — The Lanett boys basketball team improved to 9-5 on the season as the Panthers downed Valley, 63-53.

Aquendall Hughley led the Panthers with 19 points and 14 rebounds, while Stanvious Roberts was 2 points shy of a triple-double, finishing with 8 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.

Marctavious Finley finished with 9 points and 11 rebounds, while Danny Griner and Nirobi Hughley also scored 9 points apiece.

Salasky Gates led Valley with 27 points.

Ballard comes up short vs. Evangel
The Ballard Christian boys basketball team lost to Evangel, 52-43, Friday night at home.

Kyle Hammock scored 15 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead the Eagles (6-7). Ben Causland scored 10 points, Codi Sturkie added 7 and Jud Butler grabbed 12 rebounds in the loss.

Ballard’s JV team (6-3) won the night’s first game, 36-22. Judson Scott led all scorers with 15 points, while Joseph Sullen had 9 points and 10 rebounds. David Good chipped in with 6 points and 16 rebounds.

Ballard kicks off a home stretch of three key region games beginning next Tuesday vs. Golden Acres.