Alabama Crimson Tide news and notes on Wednesday, March 5th:
Mark Sears named a finalist for Bob Cousy Award
Alabama point guard Mark Sears has been named a finalist for the Bob Cousy Award, given annually to the best point guard in college basketball. Sears is one of five finalists, joining Florida's Walter Clayton, Marquette's Kam Jones, Purdue's Braden Smith, and Tennessee's Zakai Zeigler.
With three finalists from the SEC, there's a good chance that the league will bring home the Cousy Award for just the second time in the 21-year history of the award. Kentucky's Tyler Ulis took home the honor in 2016.
Sears leads Alabama in scoring and assists, being second in the SEC in both categories. He's heating up in recent games, dropping 30+ points against Missouri and Kentucky, a double-double against Mississippi State, and 24 more points in Saturday's loss to Tennessee.
Sarah Ashlee Barker named 1st Team All SEC
It has been an outstanding season for Kristy Curry and Alabama women's basketball. The Crimson Tide is on the verge of hosting the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament and giving itself its best chance in a long time to get to the second weekend of the tournament for the first time in 26 years.
A big reason for that has been senior guard Sarah Ashlee Barker. Barker is the Tide's leading scorer at 17.3 points per game while shooting 50.6% from the field. She's added 6.2 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game.
Barker will hope to lead Alabama to the second weekend of the tournament and a run in the SEC Tournament. Alabama enters the SEC Tournament with 23 wins, just three away from tying a program record.
Alabama baseball stays undefeated, routs Jacksonville State on the road
In its first true road game of the season, Alabama baseball remained perfect, moving to 13-0 on the season with an 11-1 thumping of Jacksonville State on Tuesday afternoon. Alabama got contributions from a lot of sources, racking up 15 hits and driving in 11 runs without a single home run on a windy night in Jacksonville.
Star shortstop Justin Lebron drove in four runs to pace the Crimson Tide's offensive effort. Alabama got multi-hit nights from Bryce Fowler, Coleman Mizell, Kade Snell, Will Plattner, and Richie Bonomolo Jr.
Georgia Tech transfer Aeden Finateri got the first start of his Tide career, but was pulled in the third inning after 2.1 innings and giving up 3 hits, one earned run, two walks, and a strikeout. Out of the bullpen, Braylon Myers, Tate Robertson, and Ariston Veasey allowed just one hit over the final 6.2 innings.
Alabama softball wins 10th straight, thumps Samford 9-2
Alabama softball won its 10th straight game on Tuesday night by thumping in-state opponent Samford 9-2. The game was tied 2-2 after one inning and then the Tide scored seven unanswered runs from there.
Alea Johnson started the game for Alabama but she struggled and was pulled in the second inning. Out of the bullpen, Jocelyn Briski was terrific, allowing just two hits and one walk while striking out six in 5.1 shutout innings.
Abby Duchscherer and Kali Heivilin both hit solo homers to help the Crimson Tide to the win.
The Crimson Tide will be back in action this weekend in Tuscaloosa for the Spring Break Showdown. They'll place Louisiana and Iowa in double headers on Friday and Saturday.