Shelley: Get out and watch some roundball

If any of you were unaware, there’s some darn good basketball being played in Randolph County right now.

I know a lot of people tend to put the round ball on the back burner. It’s kind of a little stepbrother to the big boys of football around here.

A big reason for that has been that the football played in these parts is of such high quality.

Randolph County won a state title in football in 2003. Woodland has knocked on the door, making it to the big game in 2004 and 2006. Roanoke’s own Handley Tigers won the state crown in 3A this year.

So naturally, basketball has taken a backseat to football.

Well this year, you would be well served paying attention to those kids on the court.

First of all, is anyone surprised the Woodland Lady Bobcats are the number-one team in the last ASWA polls in Class 2A?

They have been for a while now, so there’s no need to be surprised.

Woodland has lost one game all year. One.

They made it to the big dance last year and fell a little short. If polls are a true indicator of how good the state’s teams are, then we could very well see Woodland competing for another title this year.

And speaking of Roanoke, I think Handley may be going unnoticed also. And that’s a shame considering this is the best Handley basketball team I’ve seen since I’ve been here.

The Tigers are currently ranked fourth in the state in Class 3A. They just delivered a pair of beatings in the area tournament.

Right now, you would be hard pressed to find a team playing better ball than Handley.

They’re not just a solid team either. They’re a lot of fun to watch.

Between Dexter Reese’s three’s and Tevin Cook’s alley oops (I saw one in each area tournament game), you can’t find a more exciting team to watch right now.

What were you doing Monday night? If you weren’t watching Handley play, you were missing out. That’s the truth.

Then there’s the Randolph County Tigers up in Wedowee.

The polls may not be giving them as much love as they deserve, but they are looming just outside the top 10.

This is the first time since I’ve been here Randolph County has won an area title. They did it by playing sound, team-oriented basketball.

Like Handley, they can drain the three’s easily. Dontae Barrett is a monster outside that line.

And Ty Sparks is as good an athlete as they make. He’s capable of doing it all on the court.

The Handley Lady Tigers are making an appearance in the playoffs as well. This is a young, inexperienced team and somehow they found a way to play in the postseason.

In all, there area four teams representing the county in the first round of the state playoffs. Three of those teams will host their first-round opponents.

That’s something to be proud of, whether you’re a basketball fan or not. Go out and see these kids play. You won’t regret it.

This has been the best season of basketball in the county that I can remember.

And the best part? It ain’t over yet.