By Jeff Devine, Dale County Chronicle
GENEVA — Ouch! The Warriors felt the Yellowjackets’ sting on Friday night as the season came to a close for the Dale County High School Warriors. The Warriors fell 56-49 to the Ashford Yellowjackets in area tournament play hosted by Geneva High School.
The Warriors managed to remain within striking distance throughout the contest, matching Ashford’s intensity in a physical, high-energy matchup. Junior Smith led Dale County with 15 points, continuing a trend of his strong performances all season. Aidan Weed added 12 points, while Jayden McGhee finished with 10 as the Warriors battled down the stretch.
Ashford was led by Zay Johnson, who scored a game-high 17 points. Alex Swain followed with 12 points, and Austin Tyler contributed 10 as the Yellowjackets executed efficiently in the closing minutes to secure the win.
Friday’s game marked a rematch of one of the most memorable contests of Dale County’s season. In January, the Warriors edged Ashford 63-61 in a dramatic double-overtime thriller, a game defined by late-game heroics and relentless execution. Smith delivered a dominant all-around performance in that win, scoring 32 points and grabbing 21 rebounds, while McGhee added 20 points and several clutch plays in both overtime periods. The game featured multiple momentum swings, including a buzzer-beating tip-in by Smith at the end of the first overtime and a go-ahead layup through traffic with eight seconds left in the second overtime. Ashford had a final chance to win, but a potential game-winning 3-point attempt came up short as time expired.
This time, however, Ashford flipped the script, holding off Dale County’s late push and bringing the Warriors’ postseason run to an end.
Dale County closes the season with several notable highlights, including a recent statement win over Luverne, a team that was formerly ranked #1 by the Alabama Sports Writers Association, earning Dale County a strong finish to the regular season. The Warriors consistently competed against higher-classification opponents and entered area play as the No. 2 seed, showcasing depth, physicality, and growth throughout the year. Smith and McGhee emerged as steady leaders, while Weed and others provided key contributions throughout the season.
Despite Friday’s loss, the Warriors’ year was defined by resilience, toughness, and the ability to rise in big moments, setting a strong foundation for the program moving forward.
Following the game, school officials praised both the girls and boys teams for the hard work they put into this season, saying, “Today marks the end of the season for our Varsity Girls & Boys after two tough losses. While it didn’t end the way we hoped, we are incredibly proud of the effort, heart, and fight these teams showed all season.” The school went on to express gratitude, adding, “Thank you to our players, coaches, and fans for the support.”
