The Joey Marinelli era began in positive fashion at Mt. Zion High School, as the first-year Eagle coach led his squad to a 63-47, season-opening victory over Ranburne (Ala.) on Friday night.

Tayon Farmer gave his new coach a huge boost, scoring a game-high 26 points to go along with a 13-point effort from senior forward Nate Warren.

Mt. Zion (1-0) returns to the court on Tuesday at county rival Temple.

In other prep basketball action from Friday:

Mt. Zion girls 65, Ranburne (Ala.) 36: The Lady Eagles (1-0) also opened the 2012-13 season with a convincing victory, placing four scorers in double-figures offensively, led by Alexis Jordan’s 21-point effort.

Rounding out the top scorers for the Lady Eagles were Jennifer Bagby with 18 points, Jordan Crews with 12, Toni Hammond with 10 and Madison Barrow with four.

Oak Mountain girls 48, Brandon Hall 10: The Lady Warriors (4-0) won their third game in three days, getting an 11-point effort from Jessi Fuller and a 10-point showing from McKena Lipham.

Oak Mountain boys 60, Brandon Hall 17: Wade Mason posted his second double-double in as many nights, leading the Warriors (4-0) with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Blake Mason and Kelton Hunt added 12 points and Colton Pollard scored 10 for OMA.

Holy Ground boys 53, Faith 20: On Thursday, the Stallions received a double-double of 17 points and 16 rebounds from Chandler Dedman in a 23-point win at Roanoke, Ala., while Jordan Edwards dished out 10 dimes in the first quarter alone in the runaway victory.

John Cocklereece and Blake Lee each chipped in nine points and Tyler Hale pulled down eight rebounds.

College Basketball

The West Georgia Technical College men’s basketball team won a 99-95 decision against Macon State on Friday night in LaGrange, as Lo’ren Hall had a huge offensive night with 29 points on 9-of-21 shooting, including going 4-of-11 from downtown.

Randazerro Chaney added 18 points for the Golden Knights (3-6), while Blair Austin posted 12 points, Shaun Monk had 11 and Alyja Hennings finished with 10.