Alabama also is playing its 12th annual 5th Grade Fastbreak
The Crimson Tide will face the undefeated South Alabama Jaguars Wednesday for the first game of a three-game home stand. Alabama has won its last 39 games at home against non-conference opponents. The streak started on Dec. 2, 2014, with a win against Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
South Alabama defeated Tennessee State in its last game. They have four players averaging double-digits, led by junior guard Shaforia Kines, who scores 15.4 points per game. Forward Antoinette Lewis leads the team with an average of 8.7 rebounds.
Besides welcoming in an undefeated in-state team, Alabama is playing its 12th annual 5th Grade Fastbreak, where fifth graders from 29 schools in Tuscaloosa descend upon Coleman Coliseum to watch the game. There will be 2,290 students and 107 teachers.
Alabama players also go out and read to different schools in the area.
“We have a lot of little eyes always watching us, so we’re always trying to be great role models for all the kids,” senior guard Taylor Berry said. “This is a great opportunity not only to show them how hard we work on the court, but in the classroom as well.”
The 5th Grade Fastbreak is set for 11:30 a.m.
“It’s a really special event for our program,” coach Kristy Curry said. “We are so excited to have them in the building tomorrow. Their energy, enthusiasm and excitement really fuels our team. It’s a tough environment to play in. It’s going to be a little rowdy, those kids really get into it. What we hope they’ll leave here with tomorrow is a sense of hard work, that you can accomplish anything that you want to.”
Alabama is on a two-game losing streak after getting swept in the Arizona State Classic during the weekend, but there were a couple of positives that came from the losses.
The first was guard Cierra Johnson, who continued to adjust to Division I basketball, as she was named to the Arizona State Classic All-Tournament Team. She averaged 12.5 points, 2.5 assists and 3.5 rebounds in the two games.
The other was freshman guard Megan Abrams had her best game of the season in the first of the two games. She scored 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting and played in 23 minutes. All of which were career highs. She came into the game averaging 8 points and 8.5 minutes.
“Her shot just went in,” Curry said. “Sometimes the ball just doesn’t go in, but everything around that had just been so positive for her.”
South Alabama at Alabama
When: Wednesday at 11:30 a.m.
Where: Coleman Coliseum
Records: Alabama 5-3; South Alabama 6-0
TV: SEC Network +
Radio: 93. FM
