PREP PLAYOFF HOOPS: Montgomery Academy holds off Greensboro to advance to regional; Trinity, St. James advance

COMBINED REPORTS

AHSAA GIRLS SUB-REGIONALS

Montgomery Academy 54, Greensboro 53

GREENSBORO -- E.G. Hines sank a pair of free throws with 8.1 seconds remaining to put Montgomery Academy up by four points and the Eagles held off Greensboro 54-53 in a 3A sub-regional game in the Greensboro gym on Friday night.

Montgomery Academy (13-15) will advance to the Central Regionals at Alabama’s State Dunn-Oliver Acadome for the second consecutive year and will play on Wednesday against Midfield in a rematch of last year’s regional semifinal.  

The Eagles shot the ball well in the early stages of Friday’s sub regional, pushing the lead out to 10 points on several occasions and taking a 32-24 lead at halftime. In the third quarter, the Raiders came out firing, hitting several 3-pointers to trim the deficit to a point, 41-40, heading into the final period.

After Hines’ free throws, Greensboro hit a 3-pointer and called a timeout with 0.9 seconds remaining, but the Eagles were able to inbound the ball and run out the clock.

Bailey Davis had 14 points, 13 rebounds, an assist and three steals to lead Montgomery Academy, while Kaci Armistead had 14 points and seven rebounds. Hines had nine points, six rebounds, seven assists and a steal, followed by Garland Thomas with seven points, three rebounds, a pair of assists and a steal, Emilyn Trott with six points, nine rebounds, three assists, two blocked shots and a steal and Addison Kitchens with four points, eight rebounds, two steals and a blocked shot. 

Trinity 53, Anniston 49

ANNISTON -- Lilly Smith scored 29 points, pulled down three rebounds and handed out three assists to lead three-time defending state champion Trinity to a 53-49 win over Anniston in a 4A sub-regional game on Friday in the Anniston gym.

Trinity (20-8) now advances to the Central Regional at Alabama State’s Dunn-Oliver Acadome on Wednesday against Pleasant Grove in a rematch of last year’s regional semifinal.

Lizzie Causey added seven points and two steals for the Wildcats, followed by Ellie Causey with six points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals, Micaiah Shelton with six points, 10 rebounds, two steals and three blocked shots, Emory Causey with five points, four rebounds, two assists and a steal and Emma Rose Meldrum with two points, seven rebounds and a steal.

Trinity coach Blake Smith is now 9-0 in sub-regional games in his 14 years as a head coach, advancing to the regionals for the fifth consecutive year.

St. James 110, Sumter Central 29

St. James made quick work of the Jaguars in the Class 3A Central Sub-Regional round on Friday, advancing to the regional semis next week.

Five players scored in double figures led by Natalie Barton with 21 points plus nine rebounds, six assists and seven steals.

Kaitlin Mitchell added 18 points and six rebound while Kaden Fair had 17 points and five boards. Morgan Lilly chipped in 13 points.

The Trojans (29-4) move on to face Lee-Scott Academy on Wednesday at 9 a.m. at the Alabama State Dunn-Oliver Acadome.

Pleasant Grove  62, Prattville Christian 28

PLEASANT GROVE -- Pleasant Grove held the Panthers in check on Friday night, defeating PCA 62-28 in a 4A sub-regional game in the Pleasant Grove gym.

Pleasant Grove advances to the Central Regional at Alabama State’s Dunn-Oliver Acadome, where they will face Trinity in the semifinals on Wednesday afternoon.

PCA ends the season at 17-15, advancing to the sub-regional round for the eighth consecutive year.    

Leah Cate Wilson led PCA with 15 points and 14 rebounds, followed by Laney Little with eight points and seven rebounds and Baylee Rogers with three points, nine rebounds and six assists.

Stanhope Elmore 81, Blount 48

MILLBROOK - Heaven Bailey scored a season-high 31 points and grabbed five rebounds to lead the Mustangs into the girls Class 6A South Regional semifinals with a win over Blount on Friday.

Kuraji Crosby had 21 points and 14 rebounds while Aubrey Newton added 10 points for Stanhope.

The Mustangs will face Park Crossing in the 6A South Regional semifinals on Thursday at Garrett Coliseum.

AISA CHAMPIONSHIPS

GIRLS CLASS A FINALS: North River Christian 49, Escambia Academy 24

Diamond Chankio scored 16 points and Morgan Sims added 14 as the Chargers defeated Escambia 49-24 to win the AISA Class A finals at Garrett Coliseum on Friday afternoon.

North River advanced to the Class A finals last year before losing to Jackson. This year, the Chargers finished the mission by holding Escambia’s top scorer, Krislynn Lee, to just one field goal and five points. That allowed North River to climb out to a 15-5 lead after one quarter and 32-11 at the half.

Natalynn Lee led the Cougars with 10 points.

BOYS CLASS AA FINALS: Chambers Academy 45, Springwood School 41

Christian Terry scored 11 points to lead the Rebels to the Class AA state championship in a closely contested game with the Wildcats at Garrett Coliseum on Friday.

Bryce Modling added nine points and Jake Reames had eight for Chambers.

Kori Key led Springwood with 15 points, followed by Clarence Moore with 10 and Wes Carden with nine.