Pleasant Home knocks off Florala for area title with late rally

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The Pleasant Home Eagles won the 1A Area 2 championship with a 69-63 overtime win at Florala on Tuesday, Feb. 4. Pictured are, from left, Assistant Coach Karl Bledsoe, Gage Taylor, Steven Turner, Elgin McMeans, Devontae Purifoy, Hyram Josey, Hunter Holland, Jayce Smith, Brody Bryan, Jackson Hawkins, Dillan Purifoy, John Luke Colvin, Noah Thompson, Nathan Hobbs, J.T. Stockton, Jack Wiggins, and Head Coach Ken Bledsoe. (PHOTO COURTESY OF TINA BOLES)

The Florala Wildcats finished as the 1A Area 2 runner-up. Pictured are, from left, (front) Julius Davis, Rayshon Coleman, Kerry Jones, Jeremiah Stone, Noah Bryan, Jayden Bradberry, Preston Turman, Uriah Matthews; (back) Assistant Coach Taylor Gentz, Elijah McMeans, Greyson Allen, Ayden Brooks, Charles Greer, Dalton Jackson, Gage Davis, Assistant Coach David Bass, and Head Coach Monty Russell. (PHOTO COURTESY OF TINA BOLES)

The third time was the charm as Pleasant Home avenged two regular season losses to Florala and won the 1A Area 2 championship with a 69-63 comeback win in overtime on Tuesday, Feb. 4.

The victory lifted the Eagles to 16-3 on the season, while the Wildcats fell to 16-2.

“We are very proud of our guys. Florala is a great team and Coach Russell does an outstanding job. We were going to have to be at our best tonight to have a chance. The guys’ preparation and execution were the key for us,” PHS Head Coach Ken Bledsoe said.

Rayshon Coleman scored six points in the opening period followed by Noah Bryan at five. Brody Bryan tallied six for Pleasant Home, while Dillan Purifoy had five. Dalton Jackson and Elijah McMeans also found the hoop as Florala took a 15-11 lead at the end of the first.

Jayden Bradberry buried a pair of home three-pointers in the second period, and McMeans matched the six with three buckets. John Luke Colvin hit a deep three and chipped in five for the visitors. Bryan and Purifoy each collected four as Jackson Hawkins rounded out the effort with two points for the Eagles. Bryan and Jackson combined on three foul shots and gave the Wildcats a 32-26 lead at halftime.

Both teams posted 12 points in the third period led by Coleman who made three baskets. Devontae Purifoy drained a three, while Dillan Purifoy added a bucket and one-for-two showing at the foul line. Bryan and Colvn also scored for Pleasant Home as McMeans had three. Bradberry found the hoop, and Jackson converted a free throw. Florala maintained a 44-38 lead at the end of the third period.

Dillan Purifoy led all scorers with 10 points in the fourth period and went three-for-three from the foul line. Bryan tallied seven in the frame for the visitors, and Colvin made his second three of the night. Jackson chipped in five points with Coleman and McMeans close behind at four apiece. The Eagles outscored the Wildcats by six and forced a 58-58 tie at the end of regulation.

Colvin found his groove with seven points in the extra period and converted a pair of free throws for Pleasant Home. Hawkins was perfect from the line with a four-for-four performance. McMeans accounted for all five Florala points.

Dillan Purifoy was the top scorer for the Eagles with 24 points. Bryan and Colvin each posted 17 as Hawkins garnered eight. McMeans led the Wildcats with 20 points followed by Coleman at 18. Jackson earned nine as Bradberry and Bryan had eight apiece.

Pleasant Home will host Area 3 runner-up Brantley (20-4) in the sub-regional round, while Florala will travel to Area 3 champion Georgiana (23-4). Both games will be on Saturday, Feb. 8, at 6 p.m.

Following the game, Colvin, Dillan Purifoy, Brody Bryan, Hawkins, Coleman, Jackson, and McMeans were named to the All-Tournament Team.