CLASS 6A SOUTH REGIONAL: Park Crossing girls move towards second title; T'Birds' boys eliminated
Park Crossing’s Maliyah Meeks shoots over Teonna Davis in the Class 6A South Regional semifinal at Garrett Coliseum. (Tim Gayle)
By TIM GAYLE
The early moments of the 6A Central Regional semifinal between Park Crossing and Stanhope Elmore featured a 3-point shooting barrage by both teams.
Once the teams settled in, the focus became the interior where Park Crossing center Maliyah Meeks thrives.
Meeks had 24 points and eight rebounds to lead the Thunderbirds to a 75-59 win over the Mustangs, helping Park Crossing advance to the regional finals against McGill-Toolen on Wednesday.
“Maliyah’s a big-time player and she’s always going to come through and make the big-time baskets,” Park Crossing coach Freeah Smith said. “Kamryn Kelly stepped up, wanting to guard and defend. I thought it was going to be a 30-point game but, of course, Stanhope fought back. We started fouling a little bit and switched the momentum. I think I took my foot off the gas too early.”
Kelly added 11 points, 10 rebounds and six steals, while Tariah Magee had 13 points, five rebounds and four steals and Trinity Adams had 10 points and four steals.
But the difference was Meeks, the talented and experienced senior who bounced out and nailed a couple of 3-point baskets, then settled in and dominated the paint in her battle with Stanhope Elmore freshman Kuraji Crosby.
“She’s a great basketball player,” Stanhope Elmore coach Kelvin Stokes said of Meeks. “Trying to handle her, we got in foul trouble early. I couldn’t get Kuraji going. Once she got going in the second half, the game started changing. But Meeks did a great job settling in at the post.”
Heaven Bailey led Stanhope Elmore with 20 points, four assists and three steals, followed by Teonna Davis with 11 points and 11 rebounds and Crosby with 10 points, six rebounds and four blocked shots.
“Of course, we knew Heaven was the engine,” Smith said. “We knew we couldn’t let her get loose. The girls accepted the challenge. Of course, she’s going to get some shots, but I think they executed the plan well.”
Park Crossing continues with its goal of repeating as state champions, while Stanhope Elmore ends the season at 29-4.
“We’ll be back,” Stokes said. “I’ve got good youth, I’ve got a good core. I’m going to miss my seniors. We’re just not used to seeing that (score) but that team in (the Stanhope Elmore locker room) is a tough bunch of girls and I’m proud of them for what we got but not satisfied. The seniors left a big-time foundation. This is the beginning of something great. You’ll see us here more and more.”
BOYS 6A SEMIS: Murphy 60, Park Crossing 54
The Thunderbirds held the early lead but Murphy pulled ahead in the second quarter and held the lead for the majority of the game to earn a win and a trip to the Class 6A South Regional finals at Garrett Coliseum.
The T’Birds got 11 points from Lathan Lucas and Isyaih Scott and as a team shot 46 percent from the field.
But Kinley Simmons led the way with 17 points and De’Shawn Sanders added 16 for Murphy (16-17).
Murphy will face Saraland in the regional championship on Wednesday.