By Scott Nickerson
Elmore Autauga News
The Wetumpka Indians boys’ basketball team has won the area championship for the first time since 2020, and after winning their Class 6A 1st round playoff game, the Indians will advance to the Regionals for the first time since 2010.
Wetumpka came out on top in a must-win game against Stanhope Elmore in the area tournament and moved on to face Percy Julian High School. The Indians avenged two regular season losses against Percy Julian with a 50-49 win to clinch the Class 6A Area 4 championship.
The area championship gave the Indians a home game in the 1st round of the Class 6A playoffs, where they faced the Russel County Warriors. Wetumpka pulled out another close victory, winning 58-55.
“We stuck to our game plan and responded to adversity throughout the game,” said Wetumpka Head Coach Steven Thomas. “We put together a game plan for Russell County that if we stayed on script, it would give us a great shot at winning. There were moments in the game where we didn’t execute very well and Russell County took advantage of that. Once we got back on script, played solid defense, executed on offense, we were able to make a crucial run in the 2nd half. That put us in position to make a play at the end of the 4th quarter to win the game.”
For the playoff game, the Indians had four players in double figures. Chris Robinson had 13 points, 15 rebounds, and 4 assists. Andrew Voyles had 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals. Nolan Fitch had 13 points. Tom Suddith had 12 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 blocks. Justin Godwin had 10 assists, 9 steals, and 7 rebounds.
The win advances the Indians to the Class 6A South Regionals for the first time in 15 years.
“Every moment with this group is special. Being able to accomplish the team goals we set is special,” said Coach Thomas. “Especially with all the hard work these guys have put in together.”
The Indians will face McGill Toolen on Thursday night at Garret Colisum in Montgomery. McGill is the Class 6A Area 2 champion. With a win, the Indians would move to the Regional Final and a chance to make the Class 6A Final Four.
“McGill is extremely well coached,” said Coach Thomas. “They’ll show some looks on defense we haven’t seen much this year. On offense they’re disciplined and will make the defense work to get great shots. We’ll have to protect the basketball and control the boards. We can’t give them multiple opportunities to score. We’ll have to be ready to play our brand of basketball for the full 32 minutes.”
