SPORTS BRIEFS: MA volleyball moves into state finals; Tide removes Kirkpatrick from team; ASU hires former NBA star as GM
COMBINED REPORTS
BIRMINGHAM -- Montgomery Academy swept Donoho in the quarterfinals and defeated Mars Hill Bible in the semifinals to reach the state volleyball finals for the 19th time in program history.
Montgomery Academy (33-9) will play Mobile Christian for the Class A Private state championship on Wednesday at Bill Harris Arena at 4 p.m.
The Eagles defeated Donoho 25-11, 25-14 and 25-13 in the quarterfinals.
Morgan Springer had nine kills, two blocks, two aces and five digs, Elinor Grace Hines had nine kills, three aces and nine digs and Bennett Britt had eight kills, one block and 11 digs.
Rehmat Sidhu had two kills, three aces, three digs and 28 assists, Caroline Wood had five kills, Addison Kitchens had a kill, a block and a dig, Emilyn Trott had five aces and eight digs and Lizzie Campbell had 13 digs.
The Eagles won the first two semifinal sets against Mars Hill, 25-23 and 25-22, before dropping the third set 27-25. Montgomery Academy rebounded to win the fourth set 25-10 to advance to the finals.
Against Mars Hill, Britt had 20 kills, a block and 11 digs and Springer had 14 kills, three blocks and six digs to lead the way.
Sidhu had 50 assists, four kills, a block, an ace and 14 digs, Kitchens had nine kills, two blocks and two digs, Hines had nine kills, an ace and 10 digs, Wood had eight kills, three blocks and a dig, Ella Gaines had three aces, Kathleen Johnston had 10 digs and Campbell had 21 digs.
PCA eliminated from state tourney
Prattville Christian earned a win over Athens Bible, 25-10, 25-17, and 25-17. But the Panthers fell in the semifinals to Mobile Christian to end their season.
In the win, Anniston Robison finished with 29 assists and four digs from her setter spot while Maren Diefenderfer led the team in kills with 10 along with a pair of aces.
Mobile Christian will face Montgomery Academy in the finals on Wednesday.
Tide’s Kirkpatrick removed from football team
Defensive back Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. is no longer a part of the University of Alabama football program.
Head football coach Kalen DeBoer released the following statement:
“After gathering more information on the situation, Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. will no longer be a part of our program. He did not live up to the standards and expectations that I have set for this team and our players.”
Kirkpatrick Jr. was suspended from playing in this past Saturday’s game against Texas A&M less than two hours before kickoff.
Kirkpatrick Jr. was arrested Friday for charges of harassing communications and doxing.
Former Atlanta Hawks star Wilkins named GM for Alabama State mens basketball
Former NBA and Unv. Georgia basketball star Dominique Wilkins has been named General Manager of the Alabama State Hornets' men's basketball program. The university announced the appointment during its annual Basketball Tipoff Reception Tuesday evening.
"To be at a place like Alabama State University is exciting; it's a new challenge," Wilkins said. "The programs are trending upward, so it's an exciting time to join them and accelerate the growth."
Wilkins will work with Alabama State's athletics administration and basketball coaching staff on strategic initiatives in fundraising, donor engagement, Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) partnerships, revenue sharing, roster planning, and student-athlete development.
"Wilkins' impact extends well beyond his Hall of Fame playing career. After leaving the court, he built an equally distinguished career as a professional, and he embodies the very attributes we hope our student-athletes will carry with them: excellence, integrity, and a commitment to others," said Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Jason Cable. "His passion for educating young people, his knowledge and experience in basketball at the highest level, and his genuine willingness to give back make him ideal for our program. We are proud to welcome him to the Hornet family.”