‘Born to score’ – E.A. Sports Today
Barksdale Sparks Gadsden City’s Late Comeback to Clinch Final Four Berth
In a thrilling showdown at the Class 6A Northeast Regional championship, Gadsden City High School triumphed over Oxford with a final score of 54-52, securing their first Final Four appearance. Devin Barksdale was the star of the night, netting a game-high 23 points, including crucial three-pointers in the last minutes as the Titans overcame an eight-point deficit.
Coached by Ralpheal Graves, Gadsden City displayed remarkable resilience, with Barksdale leading a 13-0 run that turned the tide against Oxford. This victory marks a significant milestone for Gadsden City, ending their streak of near misses in eight previous regional attempts. Barksdale’s performance earned him tournament MVP honors and evoked memories of his state championship achievements at Jacksonville High.
Despite strong contributions from Oxford’s Jaylen Alexander and Jayden Lewis, who scored 14 points each, the Yellow Jackets could not hold their lead, plagued by 21 turnovers compared to Gadsden City’s seven. As the season ends for Oxford, which many considered their best team in years, they must now look ahead to rebuilding while Gadsden City prepares to face Paul W. Bryant on February 26 in Birmingham.
Graves reflected on the pressure of expectations, noting, “We’ve got to get it done,” and credited Barksdale’s decisive shots for the comeback. As the Titans celebrate their hard-fought victory, Gadsden City now eyes further success in the upcoming Final Four.
Read the complete article here: https://www.easportstoday.com/2025/02/20/born-to-score/
