Saraland’s L.J. Williams puts up a jumper against Oxford Wednesday in the Class 6A state tournament semifinals at Legacy Arena in Birmingham. Williams, who scored 19 points, did most of his damage from outside in the Spartans’ 52-37 loss to the No. 1 Yellow Jackets. (David Holtsford/AHSAA)
Saraland’s Caedon Warren (3) drives against Oxford Wednesday. Warren finished with 5 points. (David Holtsford/AHSAA)
Saraland’s L.J. Williams goes up to block a shot from Oxford’s Jermaine Caver Wednesday in Birmingham. Williams had two blocks. (David Holtsford/AHSAA)
By JIMMY WIGFIELD
BIRMINGHAM — No. 1-ranked Oxford shoved Saraland’s offense into a black hole in the second half Wednesday and the sun set on the best season in school history. But with sophomores L.J. Williams and C.J. Williams returning along with most of their teammates, the Spartans might be on the verge of a long-lasting sunrise.
Saraland led for only 35 seconds early, missed 20 of its last 22 shots from the floor and faded in the second half of a 52-37 loss to the Yellow Jackets in the Class 6A state semifinals at Legacy Arena.
Afterward, Spartans coach Dru Powell tried to squelch his emotions and focus on the program’s first of what he hopes are many appearances in the state tournament.
“These guys have come a very, very long ways,” said Powell, who paused to regain his composure. “I’m looking forward to what the future holds. I couldn’t be more proud of the effort that they showed not only today but throughout the season.”
The 6-foot-8 Williams, who has emerged as one of the top forwards in the South, had 19 points and 13 rebounds and said he is on a mission to make Saraland a school known for more than just a successful football program.
“This gives us fuel,” he said. “I am gonna take this loss and I am going to be back in the gym tomorrow. There ain’t no stopping. I’m going to keep pushing. Saraland’s not really known for having a good basketball team, they’re known for a good football team. We went to Thompson yesterday (to practice) and they said, ‘Oh, that’s Ryan Williams’ team.’ I don’t want to be known as Ryan Williams’ team.”
The Spartans (28-8) had won 11 of their last 12 games coming in but discovered they had never experienced anything like Oxford’s ball pressure, which threw rocks into Saraland’s offensive machinery and held it to a season-low 37 points.
“It’s very tough to simulate,” Powell said. “They’ve got arguably the best team in the state regardless of classification. We certainly respected them and it is very hard to simulate that pressure and that athleticism and that quality of player. Their coach does a great job; they do things the right way. I felt like our guys in the first half were really good, really solid, but when you don’t score much better than we did, the game’s really difficult.”
Williams was double and triple teamed whenever he ventured into the low post, so he was often brought out top to open up the lane. He tried as many jumpers (3 of 8) as tip-ins (1 of 4) or layups (2 of 4).
“I’ve been getting played like that the whole season,” said Williams, who averaged 20.6 points, 16 rebounds and shot at 57% in his last three postseason games. “I get triple and double teamed every chance they get. I have one in front of me and one behind me.”
Powell hoped bringing Williams away from the basket would open driving lanes for C.J. Williams, Larry Edwards and Traesyn Harvey but the Yellow Jackets’ help defense wouldn’t permit it.
“He can put the ball down, he can also shoot it,” Powell said. “You’ve got to come out there to guard him, so it does open up the floor quite a bit. We put in some sets to get his hands on it on the perimeter and that’s a tough matchup. But their help was very good. They’re very athletic, they’re quick and they’re well coached.”
The Spartans made just 4 of 10 layups, 4 of 20 three-pointers and shot only 28% from the field.
“L.J. Williams is a heck of a player,” Oxford coach Joel Van Meter said. “We had to fight for everything that we got but we’ve got a resilient group of guys. We’re built on defense and rebounding and I thought we did a great job of that.”
In one span of the second half, as Saraland missed 12 straight field goals, Williams had just one touch in 7½ minutes and his three free throws were the Spartans’ only points in the third period, when the Yellow Jackets went on an 11-3 run to break a 27-27 halftime tie and take command.
“I felt like we got some decent looks in the second half,” Powell said. “Obviously, their defense is really good but I thought their defense was pretty good in the first half as well. I think we tried to force it once it got to a three- or four-possession game. … The storms came in the third quarter and we weren’t able to answer them. We just didn’t quite have enough today.”
Van Meter said the only halftime adjustments involved attitude, not strategy.
“These guys came out and they decided they’re going to get some stops and they’re going to rebound the ball,” he said. “We worked all week on double teaming Williams and I thought we did a great job in the second half of that. He’s still a great player. I just think it was our guys deciding, ‘Hey, we’re going to take this at this moment’ and they just kept plugging and plugging and plugging.”
Oxford (29-4) forced 11 turnovers and outscored Saraland 13-2 off them. Jalen Alexander scored 22 points for the Yellow Jackets.
Instead of dwelling on what he could not change, Powell looked to the future with a team that loses only one senior starter in Edwards.
“L.J. (Williams) may be the best basketball player in the state of Alabama regardless of classification, regardless of age,” Powell said. “He’s a sophomore, he’s 6-8, he’s the hardest-working kid in school, he puts in work in the weight room and on the court. He’s really a nightmare to guard. He’s a three-level scorer, he’s really good around the rim, mid-range and from three as well. The way he rebounds the ball is unlike anybody I’ve ever coached. Hats off to Oxford, they actually kept him under his averages.
“C.J. (Williams) is not a secret. He’s one of the best shooters in the South. Without these two guys, you’re probably sitting here talking to somebody else.”
L.J. Williams wants to make sure Saraland hogs the conversation for the next two years.
“I feel like next year we’re going to be back,” Williams said. “I’m planning on winning it. I don’t want to lose. I don’t like losing.”
