The Athens Golden Eagles Are Getting a Real Charge from Sam Boyles’ Defensive Play
Montgomery, AL – Athens High School senior guard Sam Boyles has developed a very unusual talent in during his high school basketball career. He has become the AHSAA’s all-time leader in taking a charge.
Boyles upped his season total to 18 and his career total to 190 as Athens (14-7) beat Decatur 55-48 Tuesday and split a couple of Class 6A, Area 15 games – earning him this week’s AHSAA Boys’ Basketball Spotlight.
Boyles’ defensive prowess edged out a shootout of sorts between two of south Alabama’s finest scorers – Carroll-Ozark’s LaKeith Person and Red Level’s Javen Poindexter, and a 50-points plus effort by Tommy Tidsale of Keith. Poindexter followed up his 41-point night with a 73-point performance in a 95-89 double-overtime win over Pleasant Home in the Tigers’ final Class 1A, Area 3 game of the regular season Tuesday night.
For those who wonder just what a charge is, the official definition states:
Officially, a charge is an offensive foul that happens when a player runs into a stationary defender who has established a legal guarding position. Charging can happen with or without a ball, when dribbling or when shooting. The flip side of a charging foul is a blocking foul.
The ability of a defender to take a charge is, well, an art form. If so, then Coach Danny Anderson of Athens High School has a budding Picaso in his lineup.
Here are Boyles’ numbers after 21 games this season. He had 57 charges as a freshman, 56 as a sophomore, 59 last season as a junior, and 18 this season for 190 total. With two regular-season games remaining and possibly the post-season, he has a chance to go over 200 charges for his career.
According to statistics reported to MaxPreps since the 2004-05 season, Robertsdale’s Ja’leal White had 75 in 30 games last year – ending the season and his prep career with at least one charge in 16 consecutive games. He had five charges in one game and four in nine other contests. He had 78 charges as a junior and finished with 161 total. North Sand Mountain’s Drue Carlton had 76 in 2022 to lead the nation, and he had 24 in 2021 to finish with 131 in three seasons – also according to statistics on MaxPreps. He had seven charges in an 82-79 loss to Ider in 2021.
The single season record for most charges nationally could well be held by Kolby Parker of Shelbyville (TX). He had 107 in the 2019-20 season and 227 for his career (2017-2020). His career high was eight in one game.
Boyles has taken a charge in his last 17 games, according to Athens’ athletic director Linda Moore, and he has had one game with nine charges – which is a state record and possibly a national record.
In the meantime, Boyles has proven to be quite a floor leader and is adept at 3-point shooting.
Anderson says his player’s ability to create a turnover in a very selfless way can have a tremendous effect on the momentum of a game. A charge creates a turnover for the defensive team and adds a foul to the offensive team – a double whammy that adds up quickly in the big games. “He’ the toughest kid I have ever coached,” said Anderson.
Tisdale netted 51 points in the Bears’ 94-25 win over A.L. Johnson Tuesday night for a career-high performance, The senior also had eight rebounds and eight assists.
Person scored 39 points and sank 6-of-6 free throws in overtime to lead Class 5A Carroll past Class 1A Red Level 83-80. Poindexter, the state’s leading scorer, had a game-high 41 points. The game was tied 67-67 at the end of regulation and Poindexter quickly brought his team back from a 78-69 deficit in overtime with a bucket and free throw, followed by a steal and bucket. However, he fouled out with just under two minutes remaining and Person’s clutch work at the foul line held off the host Tigers’ final challenge in the final minute.
Poindexter’s 73-pound effort was the most points scored by an individual in an AHSAA game since Dustin Duncan had 72 for Gardendale in a 2001 contest. The state record is 97, set by Walter Garrett of Birmingham’s West End High School in a 97-54 win over Glenn in 1963. His mark is still a national record for most points in a game when the player scored all his team’s points.
Below are other standout performances reported from around the State of Alabama.
MILESTONES
DESHLER’S POUNDERS COACHES 250th WIN: Khalil Bland had 17 points and Garrett Reid 15 as the Tigers (16-10) beat Rogers 53-48 last Thursday night to notch the 250th career coaching win for head coach Brian Pounders. His record stood at 250-124 after the Class 4A, Area 16 victory. He picked up win 251 when Deshler clinched the area title for the eighth time in 10 years on Friday night with a 60-43 victory over Brooks. Reid had 16 points and Aiden Woody scored 15 in the win as the Tigers snapped the Lions’ six-game winning streak.
CALEB HARRISON, HUNTSVILLE: The 6-foot-10 senior recorded 20 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Crimson Panthers (25-1) to their 22nd straight victory 72-49 over Guntersville. The 22-game winning streak established a new school record. Josh Bowerman also had 18 points, five rebounds and five blocked shots for Huntsville. Earlier in the week, Harrison had 14 points, 10 rebounds and three blocked shots as Huntsville downed Albertville 68-44 for the school’s 30th straight home victory in the Class 7A, Area 7 win.
DAVIS DARE, AMERICAN CHRISTIAN: Notched the 1,000th point of his prep career scoring 22 points and dishing out four assists in a 66-65 victory over Hale County for a key Class 4A, Area 7 win.
IN THE CLUTCH
SKYLAR TOWNSEND, TANNER: Drilled the game-winning basket just before the final buzzer to give Tanner 13-6 a 52-50 victory over East Limestone (17-5) in the Limestone County tourney finals. Townsend made a tough jumper over a pair of defenders with two seconds left on the clock. The shot also put the final touches on a dramatic comeback by the Rattlers, who trailed by as many as 14 points in the second half. Townsend finished with 10 points and Eliyjah Jones had 11 in the win. Zak Cain had 18 points to lead East Limestone.
JAYWON BOYD, CHARLES HENDERSON: Had 20 points as the Trojans beat Greenville 73-58 in Class 5A, Area 4, and delivered three clutch plays in the final 14 seconds to spark Charles Henderson to a 55-53 win over Pike County. With the Trojans down three, Boyd hit a 3-pointer with 14 seconds left to tie it. After a timeout, Boyd stole the ball on the next play and converted a layup with nine seconds left to put CHHS in front.
Pike County missed a shot at the buzzer. Boyd finished with 25 points and Markelis Hobdy had 19 for the Bulldogs.
JULIAN KING, FLORENCE: Sank a clutch 3-point goal at the buzzer to lift Florence to 50-49 Class 7A, Area 8 win over Bob Jones. The junior guard finished with six points for the winning Falcons (14-8). Bryant James had 15 points for Florence, which is 7-3 this season in games decided by 10 points or less. Kaden Rickard scored 22 for the Patriots.
ZAY JOHNSON, REHOBETH: Scored 23 points, including a key free throw with two seconds remaining to lead the Rebels to a dramatic come-from-behind 62-60 win over Cottonwood. Teammate Cameron Jones took a feed from Dontez Martin and drilled a 3-point shot with 1:10 left, and Martin added a layup with 20 seconds remaining. Rehobeth led by nine points midway in the fourth quarter, but the Bears rallied to go ahead with just under two minutes left before Jones, Martin and Johnson hit their clutch points for the Rebels (10-13). Martin finished with 10 points and Jones had nine. Kylin Hudson and Karnelius Miree each had 22 points for Cottonwood (7-13).
JAKORI RUMP, EUFAULA: Nailed a 3-pointer with eight seconds remaining to lift the Tigers to a 58-57 win over Russell County. Toney Coleman led the Tigers with 23 points.
ETHAN STOKES, McGILL-TOOLEN CATHOLIC: Sank a field with 18 seconds left in the fourth quarter to tie the Jackets’ Class 6A, Area 2 game with Baldwin County, and Jackson Murphy nailed a 3-pointer in the extra period for a 54-50 win. Grayson Brower, who led the Jackets (19-5) with 12 points, had a steal and layup with 40 seconds left in the fourth period to pull McGill-Toolen, which trailed by as much as eight points in the final period, to within two points of the Tigers (19-7). Stokes’ game-tying bucket came 22 seconds later. Jay Bolar had 18 points for Baldwin County. The win improved McGill-Toolen to 5-0 in area play.
CAMERON HILL, THEODORE: Nailed two free throws with five seconds remaining to seal the Bobcats’ 53-49 win over Murphy. Houston Cunningham led Theodore (14-11) with 19 points, including going 9-of-10 at the foul line to help seal the Class 6A, Area 1 title.
DESMOND WILLIAMS, BAKER: Sank a layup in the final seconds to send Baker into overtime with Mary Montgomery, and Dashawn Thomas scored 10 of his 16 points Iin the extra period as the Hornets (20-6) won 64-59 over Mary Montgomery to clinch the Class 6A, Area 1 regular-season title. Williams finished with 13 points, and Derrick Florence had 17.
TY DAVIS, MOUNTAIN BROOK: Helped the Spartans seal the Class 6A, Area 10 title with 18 points, five rebounds and four assists in a close 49-47 win over Shades Valley.
OTHER TOP PERFORMANCES
IAN SENN, ARITON: Was red hot with 39 points as the Purple Cats downed G.W. Long 70-65 in Class 2A, Area 3. He had 30 in the first half. Jeremiah Hairston led the Rebels with 29 points.
EVAN GRIFFIN, GENEVA: Scored 37 points and pulled down 14 rebounds to lead the Panthers (18-8) to a 73-57 win over Houston County.
BRADY WILSON, DECATUR HERITAGE: Managed 35 points and 18 rebounds in a 58-54 victory over Falkville, and scored 25 points in a 68-28 win over West End.
BRITTNEY REED, McINTOSH: Had an incredible 34-point, 16-rebound performance – all in the first half – as McIntosh (20-3) beat Fruitdale 80-33 in Class 1A, Area 1.
JAYDEN PARKS, BRANTLEY: Managed 34 points, seven rebounds and five assists as the Bulldogs (14-7) defeated Florala 78-57 in Class 1A, Area 2. He had 18 points and nine assists earlier in the week as Brantley defeated Elba 69-54.
GABE GLOVER, WICKSBURG: Led the Panthers with 32 points in a 57-46 win over Emmanuel Christian.
EVAN GRIFFIN, GENEVA: Lit up the nets for 30 points and also cleared 14 rebounds to pace the Panthers (19-8) to a 60-45 win over Slocomb in Class 4A, Area 3.
JOE ALDRIDGE, MARION COUNTY: Scored 30 points and handed out 10 assists as the Red Raiders (20-5) beat Lynn 79-73 in Class 1A, Area 11. He followed with 18 points, seven rebounds and seven assists as Marion County won 56-46 over Red Bay (18-6) snapping the Tigers’ six-game winning streak.
CADE SEGARS, PRATTVILLE CHRISTIAN: Had 30 points as the Panthers beat B.T. Washington Magnet 72-18 in Class 4A, Area 5.
DANILO STOJAKOVIC, TUSCALOOSA ACADEMY: Managed 29 points as the TA downed Greene County 63-52 in Class 2A, Area 5.
BLAQ TAYLOR, COLBERT COUNTY: Fired 28 points and teammate Dylan Castle had 23 as the Indians (15-6) beat Colbert Heights 83-28 in Class 3A, Area 15. Colbert County, which set a season high for points, hit eight 3-pointers in a 37-point first quarter.
MYKEL GOODLOE, CHEROKEE: Scored 28 points for Cherokee (9-13) but the balanced scoring of Shoals Christian’s lineup emerged with the 79-58 Class 1A, Area 16 victory. Danny King had 16 points for the Flame (12-12), which placed four players in double figures.
BRAYCE JOHNSON, BELGREEN: Totaled 28 points as the Bulldogs (14-6) beat Hackleburg 56-41 to earn the Class 1A, Area 14 title for the seventh time in eight years.
CADEN BUTLER, FALKVILLE: Had 28 points in a win over Addison and 19 points in a victory over Lindsay Lane.
ISAIAH FULLER, AUSTIN: Canned 27 points, highlighted by five 3-point goals overall and 13 points in the final quarter, as the Black Bears (22-4) beat James Clemens 63-32 in Class 7A, Area 8. Bryson Mason had 21 points for the Jets. Fuller also had 23 points as Austin beat Florence 87-48
TREY KELLOGG, COVENANT CHRISTIAN: Sparked the defending Class 1A state champion Eagles (19-8) to a 66-35 win over Cherokee in 1A, Area 16 with 27 points.
LUKE HOOD, PRICEVILLE: Posted 27 points in a 69-60 victory over West Morgam.
KAHNE LITTLE, HATTON: Managed 26 points in a close 60-56 loss to Mars Hill Bible. Tanner Caudle led the winning Panthers with 16 points. Little also had 22 points as Hatton (11-9) downed Sheffield 48-33 and 25 in a 70-61 win over Central-Florence.
SHADRICK TOODLE, COTTAGE HILL CHRISTIAN: Had 26 points as the Warriors (17-8) clinched the Class 3A, Area 1 title beating Flomaton 75-37.
PEYTON WIGGINS, HUFFMAN: Nailed 11-of-18 shots from the field to finish with 25 points as the Vikings (12-13) beat Center Point 63-44 in Class 6A, Area 11. Teammate Kevon Walker was 8-of-11 from the floor in his 16-point effort.
JACOB CHESTNUT, ZION CHAPEL: Scored 26 points as the Rebels (19-7) beat Pike Liberal Arts 59-51 to clinch second place in Class 2A, Area 4.
MILES EDWARDS, LAUDERDALE COUNTY: Had 25 points as Lauderdale County (14-7) downed East Lawrence 56-44.
DYLAN CASTLE, COLBERT COUNTY: Netted 25 points in the Indians’ 59-35 triumph over Phil Campbell in Class 3A, Area 15.
ROD JACKSON, HOUSTON ACADEMY: Sank 25 points as the Raiders (21-3) defeated Northside Methodist 67-57 to clinch the Class 3A, Area 3 regular-season title. Brayden Clements canned five 3-pointers to finish with 21 points for NMA.
JAEDEN HARRIS, ST. JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC: Had 24 points to help the Falcons clinch the Class 4A, Area 15 regular-season title beating Randolph 62-55. Harris had 12 points in the fourth period.
FREDDY FRANKS, WILSON: Scored 23 points as the Warriors beat Rogers 59-53.
JAMICHA ADAIR, JAG-MONTGOMERY: Had 23 points in JAG’s 81-51 victory over Pike Road and 22 in a 54-47 triumph over Sidney Lanier.
ISAAC WALKER, HOUSTON COUNTY: Had 23 points as the Lions nipped Kinston 59-57 in Class 1A, Area 2.
CARSON THRASHER, MARS HILL BIBLE: Scored 22 points to lead the Panthers to a 74-27 win over Tharptown.
JAKALEB FAULK, HIGHLAND HOME: Scored 22 points and teammate Greg Tate added 21 as the Flying Squadron clinched the 2A, Area 4 title with a 59-48 win over Zion Chapel.
JOSEPH JONES, HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC: Totaled 22 points and 11 rebounds in a 63-60 victory over Class 1A, Area 9 rival Pickens County. He also had four steals and four assists, and teammate C.J. Thompson finished with 15 points, eight assists and four steals. He also had 25 points in a 57-45 area win over Berry later in the week.
KAMERON PETERMAN, ABBEVILLE: Netted 22 points as Abbeville (10-10) edged Barbour County 66-65 in Class 2A, Area 3 action.
BRAYLON DAME, LAWRENCE COUNTY: Delivered 22 points in s 56-44 victory over Brewer and 19 points in s win over Hamilton.
BRYSON BERRY, DOTHAN: Had 21 points and seven rebounds to lead the Class 7A Wolves (17-8) to a 73-40 win over Daleville.
BRYANT JAMES, FLORENCE: Had 21 points, and combined with Jayshod Pearson, who had 16, to sink 15-of-16 free throws as the Falcons (15-9) overcame a seven-point deficit to beat James Clemens 67-55 in Class 7A, Area 8. The two were a perfect 10-of-10 at the foul line in the fourth quarter.
SALIM LONDON, HOOVER: Scored 20 points and cleared seven rebounds as the Bucs beat Vestavia Hills 69-51 in Class 7A, Area 5. Jarrett Fairley added 19 points and 6-foot-10 Dewayne Brown finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds and a double-double.
NOAH NELSON, GEORGIANA: Had 20 points as the Panthers (19-2) beat Pleasant Grove 73-64 and had 11 points the night before as Georgian beat the same Class 1A, Area 3 opponent 83-47. With the wins Georgiana improved to 7-0 in area play.
BRADY WILSON, DECATUR HERITAGE: Led the Eagles to a 65-56 win over Falkville with 20 points and nine rebounds as his team clinched the Class 2A, Area 13 regular-season crown. He had 12 points and eight rebounds in Decatur Heritage’s final area game, a 62-39 win over West End.
KING LARKIN, CENTRAL-TUSCALOOSA: Poured in 20 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double to lead the Falcons past Northridge 54-43 in 6A, Area 6. Larkin had 18 in a 51-40 loss to Paul Bryant.
MIKEL BONNER, WILLIAMSON: Totaled 20 points, 15 rebounds and two blocked shots as Williamson (20-6) beat B.C. Rain 65-51 in Class 5A, Area 1.
McRAE TAUL, FAIRHOPE: Collected 20 points and 10 rebounds to lead Fairhope (18-4) to a 74-48 win over Daphne in Class 7A, Area 1.
SKYLAR STOVALL, MONTGOMERY ACADEMY: Had 20 points in a 44-40 setback to Saint James in Class 3A, Area 6. He also had six rebounds and five assists.
JOHN WALKER, NORTHRIDGE: Had 19 points along with teammate Anderson Wilkin as the Jags beat Paul Bryant 56-44 in Class 6A, Area 6 play. Jack Sanderson also had 10 rebounds and eight points. Wilkin also scored 19 in an Area 6 loss to Central-Tuscaloosa.
ARMONIE FRANKLIN, MIDFIELD: Had a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds as the Patriots (16-8) beat Childersburg 60-27 in Class 3A, Area 9. Teammate Brandon Riddle also had a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
M.J. CULPEPPER,CENTRAL COOSA: The senior helped his team to its fourth straight win with a victory over Thorsby. He scored 18 points, connecting on 7 of his 15 shots, and finished with eight rebounds.
TYSON ROBERTS, BROOKS: Had a career-high 18 points as the Lions (17-5) beat Central-Florence 54-35.
KEEYUN CHAPMAN, JACKSON: Had 16 points and 12 rebounds for a double-double to lead Jackson (19-2) to a 68-27 win over Satsuma.
KENNITH DALTON JACKSON, FLORALA: Had 12 points, 11 rebounds and took three charges on defense as the Wildcats beat Kinston 68-52 in Class 1A, Area 2.
