Welcome to the championship on Saturday during the AHSAA national finals.
We will crown six basketball champions – boys and girls in classes 5A, 6A and 7A – by the end of the day.
Can Charles Henderson’s daughters complete and win the season? Can Mountain Brook win a fourth consecutive 7A men’s championship? How big will the crowd be for the Hoover 7A Girls’ Final? We will find out.
Follow all the action today:
YOU PLAY: Class 7A Boys Championship: Mountain Brook (32-2) vs. Lee-Montgomery (32-1)
RELATED: Listen live to the broadcast of the AHSAA Radio Network
18:56, let’s go: It’s 4-4 with 3:56 left in the first. Good crowd at Legacy Arena as you might expect.
6:48 p.m., late but in progress: We are officially on our way to the last game of the week, although a little over an hour late.
6.34 p.m., championship pedigree: The Spartans have won five state titles since 2013, all under coach Bucky McMillan. Lee is looking for his first state title.
6.32pm, the final: Mountain Brook boys opt for fourth straight against Lee-Montgomery. The Spartans beat the Generals in the semifinals a year ago. They are a combined 64-3 this year.
6:22 p.m., Statistics: Sarah Ashlee Barker, in her last game, scored 11 points, 15 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 blocks and 2 interceptions before committing a foul with two minutes left. Avery Masdon followed with 12 points. Reniya Kelly led Hoover with 23.
6:20 p.m., frantic arrival: Avery Masdon of Spain Park hits one of two free throws and Spain Park wants to beat Hoover 47-44. Haley Russell was huge in the final stretch after Sarah Ashlee Barker fouled. Russell had a basket and two free throws in 1h05 final to help the Jaguars hold on.
6:14 p.m., Last seconds: With 6.5 to the left, the advance to Spain Park is 46-44. The Jaguars have the ball out of bounds after the time out, but they struggled to get it through the field without Sarah Ashlee Barker.
6:10 p.m. Sarah disappeared: Reniya Kelly’s three-point game reduced Spain Park’s lead to 42-39. The Jaguars returned him three times in a backcourt without Barker, but Hoover did not score. 1:26 still remains – forever without their star.
6:05 p.m., Trouble for Spain Park: Georgia signatory and basketball candidate Sarah Ashlee Barker has just made a mistake with 2:03 left and her team leads by four.
6:01 p.m., here they are: Reniya Kelly with a basket and FT. Hoover in 38-34 with another 3:09 left. It has been the closest to the Bucs for a long time.
5:55 p.m., lead at 7 a.m .: Jada Knight’s basket brings Hoover back in 38-31 with 3:54 left.
5:53 p.m., approaching the title: Spain Park leads 38-29 with 4:33 to play in this one. The Jaguars are looking for their second title in three years. Hoover attempts his seventh place in the general classification.
5.49 p.m., Heating: Reniya Kelly of Hoover hits a 3, cutting to Spain Park leads to 35-28 with 5:33 left.
5.42 p.m., after 3 p.m .: Spain Park is still in charge. The Jaguars lead 31-19. Hoover is 5 out of 35 on the field and 1 out of 13 on a 3-point range. Spain Park is 11 out of 38 and 3 out of 12.
5:36 p.m. fight: Georgian signatory Sarah Ashlee Barker is now 3 out of 18 in the field. However, his team from Spain Park still leads rival Hoover 28-19 with 1:20 to go in the third. It contributes in other ways – 11 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 interceptions, 2 blocks.
5:29 p.m., Significant drought: With 3:51 left in the third, Spain Park leads Hoover 24-12. Each team scored two points this quarter.
5:21 p.m., return to action: We are 16 minutes from crowning a champion.
5:02 p.m., Sharing wealth: Sarah Ashlee Barker of Spain Park delivers assists, and the Jags now lead 20-6 with 3:03 left in the first quarter.
4:57 p.m., Principal Commander: Avery Masdon of Spain Park has six points and Sarah Ashlee Barker five. The Jags lead 13-4. Hoover is a 1 for 12 and 0 for 7 shot in a 3 point range.
4:53 p.m., ouch: Hoover is 1 for 11 on the field and drags 11-4 at the end of the first quarter.
4:46 p.m., big advance: Spain Park are now 9-0 with less than 2.5 minutes to play in the first quarter.
4:43 p.m., low score: Spain Park leads 4-0 with 3:52 playing in the first quarter.
4.36 p.m., first bucket: Sarah Ashlee Barker, Spain Park senior candidate and Miss Basketball candidate, scores the first points with a 3-0 lead.
4:19 p.m., remember: Spain Park has been trying to win its second state title in the past three years, and Hoover has been trying to win its third state title in the past four years.
Yes, both of these schools have ruled 7A women’s basketball for the past four seasons.
4:01 p.m., under control: With 33.3 seconds remaining, Huffman now leads 53-43.
3:43 p.m., Dunk-tank: Jonathan Murray of Huffman dunks at the break, is at fault and takes the free kick to tie the game at 40-all with 6:43 remaining.
3:38 p.m., end 3: Huffman with a 10-2 streak to complete the quarter. The Vikings reduced what used to be an 11-point lead at Bessemer City to 40-37.
3:32 p.m., still marking: Thaddeus Williams now has 18 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds for Bessemer City. The Tigers cling to a 40-34 lead with 1:07 to go in the third.
3:21 p.m., still in the lead: Jaquan Rollins Jr. with two consecutive layups and Bessemer City is nine, 36-27, with 4:13 left in the third.
3:16 p.m., return to action: In progress in the second period. Huffman with one flight and two speed baskets reduced Bessemer City’s lead to 31-27 with 6:21 left in the third.
3:08 p.m., half-time statistics: Bessemer City leads 31-23. Tigers pulled 65% of the field (13 of 20). Huffman was 9 out of 29 (31%). Thaddeus Williams has 13 for Bessemer City. He did not play in the first meeting between the two teams.
3:00 p.m., larger advance: Thaddeus Williams drains a long 3 and Bessemer City has their biggest lead, 26-18, with 1:39 to go before the break.
2:53 p.m., work in progress: Ezekiel Spann of Bessemer City scored three consecutive baskets. The Tigers lead Huffman 21-16 with 4:10 left in the half.
2:48 p.m., solid first: Jamon Reed had eight of his team’s 13 points in the first quarter.
2:39 p.m., round trip early: At the first media timeout, Bessemer City leads Huffman 8-6. Jamon Reed has the three baskets for the Vikings. Calvin Townes had three of the Tigers’ four baskets.
2:33 p.m., in progress: Huffman’s Jamon Reed opens with a basket underneath and off we go.
2:27 p.m., the first time: Huffman won the only regular season game between the two teams 67-27 in December. “They beat us like we stole something,” said Bessemer City coach Thad Fitzpatrick.
2:20 p.m., a first for someone: Huffman and Bessemer City each play for the first title in school history. Huffman advanced with a semi-final victory over Eufaula. Bessemer City defeated British Columbia. Rain Thursday.
2:17 p.m., gross disparity: McAdory was called for 18 fouls. Hazel Green was called up for 3. Trojans were 14 out of 20 on the FT line. The jackets were 1 of 2.
2:11 p.m. MVP: Farrah Pearson scored the basket for Hazel Green and finished with 24 points and 12 rebounds.
2:08 p.m., do 3: Hazel Green wins his third consecutive title for Tim Miller and fourth in the school’s overall ranking. The Trojans outscored McAdory 17-7 in the last quarter. The Yellow Jackets have scored just 2 of their last 11 field goals.
1:59 p.m., not yet finished: Jamya Tyus hits a 3 to end McAdory’s drought. Hazel Green still leads 36-32 with 38.8 left.
1:57 p.m., Departing: Hazel Green controls tightly after another Pearson basket and three free throws. Trojans lead 36-29 with 45.4 to the left.
1h54pm, back in front of: Farrah Pearson scored inside to give Hazel Green a 31-29 lead with 1:53 left. Trojans also recover the ball after a McAdory air balloon. The Yellow Jackets haven’t scored in a long time.
1:51 p.m., waiting time, yellow jackets: Everything is tied with 3:02 on the left. Hazel Green 29, McAdory 29. Yellow Jackets will be the first to break time out.
1:42 p.m., after 3 p.m .: McAdory always surprises Hazel Green, double defending champion. The yellow jackets lead 27-23.
1:34 p.m., change of lead: McAdory leads 23-21 with 3:18 left in the third quarter. This is the first advance for the Yellow Jackets today.
1:33 p.m., she’s on fire !: Farrah Pearson’s three-point game gives Hazel Green a 21-18 lead and 14 of the Trojans’ 21 points.
1:30 p.m., Explosion of points !: Each team scored in the first minute of the second half. It’s remarkable in a game with such a methodical rhythm. Hazel Green leads 18-16.
1:13 p.m., fast scores (sey): McAdory’s Kalyn Quicksey turns a flight into a layup, then obtains another flight and feeds Jamya Tyus for a layup. McAdory reduced Hazel Green’s lead to 15-14 with 2:02 left in the second quarter.
1:08 p.m., Big game: Farrah Pearson of Hazel Green has 10 points, but McAdory reduced the Trojans’ lead to 12-10 with 4:38 left in the first period.
12.53 p.m., first media timeout: It’s Hazel Green 4, McAdory 3 with 3:52 left in the first quarter.
12:50, no score = low score?: Hazel Green likes to beat wins and play low score games. After two minutes, Hazel Green leads 2-2. Rhythm is exactly what Hazel Green has wanted so far.
12:16 PM, Timeout: Center Point reached their fifth 3-point pointer – the Eagles are 5 for 28 long distance – to reduce Fairfield’s lead to 48-42 to 26 seconds from the end. It would take something miraculous for Center Point to win.
12:11 PM, still 3: Center Point reduced Fairfield’s lead to 44-39 with 1:38 to go.
12:07 pm, big end to come: Fairfield leads 43-36 with 2:42 to go. Reginald Perry of Fairfield has 13 points.
11.59 a.m., 3 balls: Jonathan Dudley of Center Point hits a 3 point to reduce Fairfield’s lead to 40-32.
11.38 am, early for: Jordan Chatman with an offensive rebound and a setback to start the second half. Center Point reduced Fairfield’s lead to 24-20 with 6:57 left in the third.
11:31 a.m., Key Statistics: Center Point finished the half 6-for-25 on the field and 2-for-13 on 3. Fairfield was 8-on-18 on the field and 2-on-5 on 3. The Tigers outscored the Eagles 20- 13 and had a 12-4 advantage in second chance points.
11:27 a.m., half-time: Despite starting 3 out of 20 on the field, Center Point is lagging behind. Fairfield leads 24-18. Tigers have led to 11.
11:16 a.m., stretching: With 3:59 left in the half, Fairfield tied his biggest lead over a pair of FT Isaiah Davis. Tigers lead the center point 20-9. Eagles only 3 out of 20 so far.
11:08 am, one in the books: Fairfield leads 14-7 in the second quarter. The Tigers scored the first 11 points before Center Point got their first basket.
10.59 a.m., laundering begins: 10 consecutive points for Fairfield to open this one, crowned by 3s in a row from Malik Nathan and Jadarrius Torrance. The Tigers lead 10-0 with 3:39 left in the first quarter. Reginald Perry will try to add to the margin outside of time out.
10.54 am, in progress: Center Point wins the tip and off we go.
10:50 am, back: This is the second consecutive 5A final for Center Point, who lost to Wenonah in 2019.
10:41 am, the configuration: Neither Fairfield nor Center Point have won a men’s state championship. That will change in 32 minutes. Center Point beat Ramsay in the semifinals, 57-54. Fairfield eliminated LeFlore, 49-44.
10:31 a.m., MVP: Niaira Jones is the MVP. She finished with 16 points, 2 interceptions and 2 assists.
10:26 a.m., too late: Destinee McGhee hits a 3 in the buzzer, but it’s too late. Charles Henderson wins. Trojans finish a perfect 29-0.
10 h 24, the dark air: MA misses a 3. Charles Henderson with an FT and he is now 50-45 with only 9.3 seconds.
10:22 am, another chance? Madison Academy in the 49-45 and has possession but only 16.9 seconds remaining.
10 h 17, closing: Niaira Jones hits 2 FT and Charles Henderson leads 48-44 with 35.1 left. Trojans looking for their second title in three years.
10:14 am, fly! Makayla Hobdy with a flight and a basket to head the Madison Academy. Charles Henderson then returns him on a travel offense. The Trojans lead 46-44 with 1:03 left and have the ball.
10:12, exchange baskets: It’s 44-44 with 1:24 remaining in the settlement. Madison Academy calls time out and has the ball.
10:08 am, final media wait time: Destinee McGhee’s 2 FT brings Madison Academy to 42-40 with 3:47 to go. McGhee has 17 points and 8 rebounds for the Mustangs.
10.05 am, Surgery before: Niaira Jones with 2 FT. Charles Henderson leads 42-38 with 4:44 left. Jones has 14 points. She also committed four personal faults.
10:02 am, still tied: Timeout, Charles Henderson. It is 38-38 with 5:34 left in the settlement.
9:54 am, change of leader: Charles Henderson’s 3-point pointer, Mykyia Milton, gives the Trojans a 30-28 lead, and he came right after a fantastic fastbreak flight by Makayla Hobdy.
9.45 a.m., change of leader: Charles Henderson’s Makayla Hobdy scores on a quick throw-in for a 22-20 lead with 6:16 left in the third quarter.
09:39, Key statistics of the half-time: Charles Henderson attempted 14 3 points and 10 2 points, but Trojans are 3 out of 14 long distance.
No player is yet double-digit, but Charles Henderson’s Mykyia Milton leads everyone with seven points.
Madison Academy has a 17-9 rebound.
9:30 a.m., change of leader: Libby Privett of Madison Academy nailed a 3-point pointer from the right wing for a 19-16 lead – the Mustangs’ first lead. Charles Henderson responds with a layup, but the Mustangs still lead 19-18 with 1:17 left in the first period.
9:28 a.m. draw: Jaden Langford of Madison Academy made two free throws to tie the game at 16 overall with 2:58 left in the first half. Remember, Charles Henderson took a 12-2 lead.
9:21 a.m., downtown: Charles Henderson’s Niaira Jones hits a deep 3 points for a 16-10 lead at the start of the second quarter.
9:08 a.m., Trojans: Kristian Jackson of Charles Henderson is the second 3-point team to take a 10-2 lead with 4:35 playing in the first quarter.
9:05 a.m., quick start: Charles Henderson did not press the repeat button this morning, while Mykyia Milton of the Trojans made 3 points on first possession of the game.
SCHEDULE AND SCORES TODAY (February 29, 2019)
Class 5A Women’s Championship: Charles Henderson 50, Madison Academy 48
Boys’ class 5A championship: Fairfield 50, Center Point 42
Class 6A Women’s Championship: Hazelnut green 40, McAdory 34
Boys’ class 6A championship: Huffman 56, Bessemer City 48
Class 7A Women’s Championship: Spain Park 47, Hoover 44
Boys’ championship class 7A: Mountain Brook (32-2) vs. Lee-Montgomery (32-1), 5:45 p.m.
Rewind the league games already played this week:
Friday’s scores
Class 2A Women’s Championship: Collinsville 58, Cold Springs 45
Boys championship class 2A: Calhoun 64, Barbour County 61
Class 3A Women’s Championship: Pisgah 59, T.R. Miller 52
Boys class 3A championship: Pike County 59, Lauderdale County 45
Class 4A Women’s Championship: Anniston 61, Deshler 51
Boys class 4A championship: Williamson 68, Talladega 61
Thursday’s scores
Class 1A Women’s Championship: Spring Garden 53, St. Luke’s 45
Boys championship class 1A: Pickens County 57, Lanett 55