AISA TOURNEY: Macon East girls fall to Escambia; Abbeville Christian boys top Patrician

Macon East’s Addie Longcrier passes to a teammate in the Knights’ loss to Escambia Academy at Garrett Coliseum on Wednesday. (Tim Gayle)

By TIM GAYLE

For 28 minutes, the Macon East Academy girls were patient in their attack, content to take one shot on offense and play defense.

But after falling behind Escambia Academy by 10 points in the Alabama Independent School Association Class A quarterfinals at Garrett Coliseum, the Knights went to work.

The Knights cut the deficit to a basket and took two shots in the final seconds but couldn’t catch the Cougars in a 44-39 loss on Wednesday afternoon.

“It was all about effort,” Macon East coach Lincoln Glass said. “They picked it up the last 3:30, they didn’t want their season to be over with. Unfortunately, we picked later in the game to give the kind of effort that we needed to give in the first half.”

Escambia Academy (13-5) advances to the Class A semifinals and will play Hooper Academy on Thursday at 3 p.m. Macon East ends the season at 12-10.

Macon East and Escambia played evenly through the first quarter and a half before the Cougars began playing more aggressively, resulting in trips to the free-throw line and dominating the glass. Trailing 39-29 with 3:35 remaining, the Knights turned up the pressure, outscoring the Cougars 10-2, cutting the Escambia lead to 41-39 with 54 seconds left.

Two possessions by Macon East resulted in a turnover and a missed shot by Mollie Ross, while two possessions by Escambia resulted in three free throws by Krislynn Lee, sealing the win for the Cougars. 

Lee finished with 14 points, while her sister Natalynn hit four 3-pointers and added 12 points. Kate Davis added 11 points in the paint for the Cougars.

Jamya Powell led Macon East with 22 points, followed by Addie Longcrier with nine and Ross with eight.

“We had a great season overall,” Glass said. “It was just a blessing to get to the Elite Eight with these young ladies. It goes to their work ethic every single day. One thing (assistant) coach Buzz (Phillips) and coach (Yancey) Powell talked about is giving effort and understanding that you have the opportunity to go far in this tournament. With just two seniors and mostly a young roster, it was tough but we pulled through and made it here so I’m proud of the girls.”

BOYS BASKETBALL

Abbeville Christian 70, Patrician Academy 49

Radarion Glover and Ahmod Billins combined for 30 points to lead the Generals to a 70-49 win over Patrician Academy in the AISA Class A quarterfinals at Garrett Coliseum on Wednesday.

Abbeville Christian advances to the A semifinals, facing Trinity Christian on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

Glover and Billins each scored 15 points, followed by Shi Crawford with 14 points, Riddge Crawford with 10 points and Jayden Buckhannon  with nine points.

Maddox Atcheson hit eight 3-pointers to lead Patrician, finishing with 26 points. Bryson Reid added nine points, followed by Ridge Russell with eight points.

Trinity Christian 54, Cornerstone Christian 38

Reid House scored 26 points to lead Trinity Christian to a Class A quarterfinal win over Cornerstone Christian on Wednesday at Garrett Coliseum.

Trinity will play Abbeville Christian on Thursday in the Class A semifinals at 7:30 p.m.

Anderson England had nine points for the Eagles as well. Mac Ellis and Nate Riddle each added eight.

Malachi Adams led Cornerstone with 21 points, followed by Jadia Dixon with eight.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Wilcox Academy 48, Abbeville Christian 38

Rose Johnson scored 13 points to lead Wilcox Academy to a 48-38 win over Abbeville Christian in the AISA quarterfinals at Garrett Coliseum on Wednesday.

Wilcox will play North River in the Class A semifinals on Thursday at 6 p.m.

Sha’Nya Brooks added 12 points for Wilcox, followed by McKenzie Boykin with eight as Wilcox jumped out early to a 14-6 lead in the first quarter and 27-13 at the half.

Amari George led Abbeville Christian with 10 points. Anna Blankenship, Hope Kennedy and Emerson Johnson all added eight points each.  

North River Christian 57, Lakeside School 28

Diamond Chankio scored 22 points to lead North River Christian to a 57-28 win over Lakeside in the Class A quarterfinals at Garrett Coliseum on Wednesday.

Morgan Sims added 17 points and Alaisha Coussett and LaZaria Doss each had nine to lead the Chargers into the A semifinals against Wilcox on Thursday at 6 p.m.

Addysen Eriksen led Lakeside with seven points.