Tuesday AHSAA Hoops Recap: Seven Defending State Champions Earn Trips Back to the Magic City
Montgomery, AL – Mars Hill Bible downed Decatur Heritage 57-44 Tuesday in the Class 2A girls’ Northwest Reigonal championship game to clinch a berth in next week’s 104th AHSAA State Basketball Championships at Birmingham’s BJCC Legacy Arena.
The Lady Panthers, led by Kadence Rolston’s 27 points and 22 rebounds, became the seventh defending state champion to earn a trip back to the Magic City. The Northwest Regional has the lion’s share of those champions – with the Hoover boys and girls squads, the Hazel Green girls and Buckhorn boys all clinching region titles. Two-time defending Class 1A boys’ state champion Covenant Christian punched their ticket to the 2024 state tourney on Monday. Mars Hill Bible’s boys also clinched a spot in the 2A state tourney Tuesday with an 82-56 victory over Tanner in the Northwest Regional boys’ finals.
Five other defending state champs are still alive in the other region finals still yet to be played. Three defending champions are playing Wednesday in the Central Region Finals. The Class 5A Valley Rams (22-1) will face Demopolis in the boys’ finals at 10:45 a.m. The Rams claimed the 2023 crown finishing 33-0 and are now 54-1 in their last 55 games. Prattville Christian (26-7), which won the 3A state title in 2022 and the 4A crown last season, meets Hale County (24-5) in the girls’ championship game at the Birmingham CrossPlex’s Bill Harris Arena at 4 p.m. Hale County’s boys are also in the Central Region finals and will meet American Christian (25-7) at 5:45 p.m.
The defending Class 3A girls’ state champion Trinity Presbyterian Wildcats (24-6) will battle Montgomery rival Saint James (27-5) in the Central Regional finals at 12:30 p.m. The Wildcats (18-9) also face powerful Sumter Central (21-3) in the Central Region 3A boys’ finals at 2:15 p.m.
Class 5A defending girls’ state champion Pleasant Grove (22-7) meets Jasper (28-4) in the Northwest Region finals at Wallace State College at 9 a.m. The remaining defending champion still competing, Class 3A Plainview (26-7), will play DeKalb County rival Geraldine (22-7) in the Northeast Region boys’ 3A championship game Thursday at 2:15 p.m. Plainview’s girls also reached the Northeast girls’ finals at Jacksonville State University and will play Susan Moore (25-4) in the 3A girls’ title game at 12:30 p.m., Thursday.
Overall, 12 of last year’s state championship teams advanced to the regionals this year. Jacksonville (4A) and Aliceville (2A) were the lone defending state champs not to earn a spot in the regionals.
Among the top performances Tuesday was Central-Phenix City guard Jakoby Hill’s 30 points, nine rebounds and three assists as the Red Devils (26-6) slipped past Auburn in a cliffhanger in the Central Region boys’ 7A finals 62-60. He was 9-of-12 at the charity stripe. Central reached the state finals last season.
Complete results through Tuesday’s championship games are below.
AHSAA BASKETBALL REGION TOURNAMENT
SOUTH REGIONAL
Garrett Coliseum, Montgomery
CLASS 1A GIRLS
Elba (27-4) 41, Georgiana (15-11) 37
Leroy (16-7) 44, Marengo (12-8) 19
1A Girls’ Finals
Elba (28-4) 56, Leroy (16-8) 35 (Elba is South 1A girls’ state qualifier)
CLASS 1A BOYS
Georgiana (25-3) 81, Florala (19-7) 55
McIntosh (25-4) 67, Southern Choctaw (16-5) 35
1A Boys’ Finals
Georgiana (26-3) 74, McIntosh (25-5) 55 (Georgiana is South 1A boys’ state qualifier)
CLASS 2A GIRLS
Cottonwood (24-4) 39, Abbeville (24-3) 35
Luverne (25-5) 50, Washington County (22-1) 39
2A Girls’ Finals
Luverne (26-5) 54, Cottonwood (24-5) 48 (Luverne is South 2A girls’ state qualifier)
CLASS 2A BOYS
Clarke County (16-13) 66, Abbeville (16-10) 54
Highland Home (19-7) 46, St. Luke’s Episcopal (12-10) 36
2A Boys’ Finals
Highland Home (20-7) 51, Clarke County (16-14) 33 (Highland Home (20-7) is South 2A boys’ state qualifier)
CLASS 3A GIRLS
Straughn (21-6) 50, New Brockton (20-6) 44
Cottage Hill Christian (14-13) 40, Houston Academy (6-12) 24
3A Girls’ Finals
Straughn (21-6) vs. Cottage Hill Christian (14-13), Wed., Feb. 21, 12:30 p.m.
CLASS 3A BOYS
Hillcrest-Evergreen (25-3) 86, Pike County (13-7) 51
Cottage Hill Christian (20-10) 49, Providence Christian (24-6) 33
3A Boys’ Finals
Hillcrest-Evergreen (25-3) vs. Cottage Hill Christian (20-10), Wed., Feb. 21, 2:15 p.m.
CLASS 4A GIRLS
T.R. Miller (22-4) 41, UMS-Wright (25-8) 34
Jackson (29-4) 54, Orange Beach (18-16) 48
4A Girls’ Finals
T.R. Miller (22-4) vs. Jackson (29-4), Wed., Feb. 21, 4 p.m.
CLASS 4A BOYS
Escambia County (17-8) 43, UMS-Wright (16-17) 35
Jackson (27-2) 65, Andalusia (21-9) 58
4A Girls’ Finals
Escambia County (17-8) vs. Jackson (27-2), Wed., Feb. 21, 5:45 p.m.
CLASS 5A GIRLS
Eufaula (16-11) 50, Vigor (16-10) 49 (OT)
Gulf Shores (28-6) 45, St. Paul’s Episcopal (20-9) 38
5A Girls’ Finals
Eufaula (16-11) vs. Gulf Shores (28-6), Wed., Feb. 21, 9 a.m.
CLASS 5A BOYS
Vigor (26-6) 69, Eufaula (21-8) 65
Charles Henderson (21-10) 50, Headland (16-11) 29
5A Boys’ Finals
Vigor (26-6) vs. Charles Henderson (21-10), Wed., Feb. 21, 10:45 a.m.
CLASS 6A GIRLS
Pike Road (22-5) 51, Theodore (21-13) 35
Park Crossing (27-1) 69, Murphy (15-16) 38
6A Girls’ Finals
Park Crossing (28-1) 52, Pike Road (22-6) 30 (Park Crossing is South 6A girls’ state qualifier)
CLASS 6A BOYS
Park Crossing (17-11) 46, Sidney Lanier (17-14) 45
Carver-Montgomery (17-14) 64, Russell County (18-11) 57
6A Boys’ Finals
Carver-Montgomery (18-14) 67, Park Crossing (17-12) 49 (Carver is South 6A Boys’ state qualifier)
CLASS 7A GIRLS
Prattville (22-5) 76, Alma Bryant (19-11) 30
Enterprise (27-6) 47, Davidson (23-5) 37
7A Girls’ Finals
Prattville (23-5) 65, Enterprise (27-7) 40 (Prattville is South 7A girls’ state qualifier)
CLASS 7A BOYS
Baker (26-6) 67, JAG (23-6) 49
Enterprise (22-6) 60, Mary Montgomery (23-6) 49
7A Boys’ Finals
Enterprise (23-6) 69, Baker (26-7) 52 (Enterprise is Central 7A boys’ state qualifier)
CENTRAL REGIONAL
Bill Harris Arena, Birmingham
CLASS 1A GIRLS
Keith (17-9) 68, Autaugaville (12-13) 52
Calhoun (13-14) 45, Billingsley (16-7) 34
1A Girls’ Finals
Keith (18-9) 51, Calhoun (13-15) 28 (Keith is Central 1A girls’ state qualifier)
CLASS 1A BOYS
Calhoun (19-4) 48, Keith (18-11) 44
South Lamar (17-9) 69, R.C. Hatch (16-8) 51
1A Boys’ Finals
Calhoun (20-4) 61, South Lamar (17-10) 40 (Calhoun is Central 1A boys’ state qualifier)
CLASS 2A GIRLS
Locust Fork (21-5) 56, Cornerstone (14-12) 34
Cold Springs (26-4) 66, Vincent (18-11) 26
2A Girls’ Finals
Cold Springs (27-4) 50, Locust Fork (21-6) 28 (Cold Springs is Central 2A girls’ state qualifier)
CLASS 2A BOYS
Locust Fork (21-6) 72, Francis Marion (22-10) 56
Altamont 65, B.B. Comer (21-6) 57
2A Boys’ Finals
Locust Fork (22-6) 80, Altamont (22-6) 63 (Locust Fork is Central 2A boys’ state qualifier)
CLASS 3A GIRLS
Saint James (27-5) 55, Sumter Central 33
Trinity Presbyterian (24-6) 56, Randolph County (15-12) 16
3A Girls’ Finals
Saint James (27-5) vs. Trinity Presbyterian (24-6), Wed., Feb. 21, 12:30 p.m.
CLASS 3A BOYS
Sumter Central (21-3) 87, Montgomery Academy (24-8) 85
Trinity Presbyterian (18-9) 45, Southside-Selma (15-12) 37
3A Boys’ Finals
Sumter Central (21-3) vs. Trinity Presbyterian (18-9), Wed., Feb. 21, 2:15 p.m.
CLASS 4A GIRLS
Prattville Christian (26-7) 69, Dora (23-7) 23
Hale County (24-5) 45, Bibb County (26-4) 23
4A Girls’ Finals
Prattville Christian (26-7) vs. Hale County (24-6), Wed., Feb. 21, 4 p.m.
CLASS 4A BOYS
American Christian (25-7) 60, Bibb County (17-11) 51
Hale County (18-11) 52, Fultondale (20-8) 51
4A Boys’ Finals
American Christian (25-7) vs. Hale County (18-11), Wed., Feb. 21, 5:45 p.m.
CLASS 5A GIRLS
Marbury (13-6) 55, Selma (22-2) 43
Brewbaker Tech (18-15) 41, Central Clay County 30
5A Girls’ Finals
Marbury (13-6) vs. Brewbaker Tech (18-15), Wed., Feb. 21, 9 a.m.
CLASS 5A BOYS
Valley (22-1) 93, Sylacauga (19-11) 65
Demopolis (19-5) 54, Central, Clay County (21-7) 44
5A Boys’ Finals
Valley (22-1) vs. Demopolis (19-5), Wed., Feb. 21, 10:45 a.m.
CLASS 6A GIRLS
Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (25-7) 51, McAdory (14-17) 19
Pelham (20-10) 41, Chilton County (16-10) 35
6A Girls’ Finals
Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (26-7) 57, Pelham (20-11) 42 (Hillcrest is Central 6A girls’ state qualifier)
CLASS 6A BOYS
McAdory (20-11) 47, Paul Bryant (24-5) 46
Helena (23-7) 70, Benjamin Russell (15-4) , Thur., Feb. 15, 1:30 p.m.
6A Boys’ Finals
Helena (24-7) 61, McAdory (20-12) 52 (Helena is Central 6A boys’ state qualifier)
CLASS 7A GIRLS
Auburn (25-4) 63, Daphne (20-5) 57
Foley (19-7) 64, Central-Phenix City (18-11) 57
7A Girls’ Finals
Auburn (26-4) 53, Foley (19-8) 51 (Auburn is Central 7A girls’ state qualifier)
CLASS 7A BOYS
Central-Phenix City (26-6) 83, Fairhope (21-6) 63
Auburn (26-5) 69, Daphne (12-16) 60
7A Boys’ Finals
Central-Phenix City (27-6) 62, Auburn (26-6) 60 (Central-Phenix City is NE 7A boys’ state qualifier)
NORTHEAST REGIONAL
Pete Mathews Coliseum, Jacksonville State University
CLASS 1A GIRLS
Spring Garden (30-1) 74, Appalachian (17-12) 25
Skyline (22-7) 44, Winterboro (18-7) 39
1A Girls’ Finals
Spring Garden (31-1) 51, Skyline (22-8) 38 (Spring Garden is NE 1A girls’ state qualifier)
CLASS 1A BOYS
Spring Garden (27-4) 60, Appalachian (20-10) 30
Skyline (25-4) 59, Faith Christian (17-17) 32
1A Boys’ Finals
Skyline (26-4) 58, Spring Garden (27-5) 51 (Skyline us NE 1A boys’ state qualifier)
CLASS 2A GIRLS
Ider (19-11) 62, Sand Rock (25-8) 51
Pisgah (21-10) 58, Lanett (20-5) 47
2A Girls’ Finals
Ider (19-11) vs. Pisgah (21-10), Wed., Feb. 21, 12:30 p.m.
CLASS 2A BOYS
Gaston (24-6) 67, North Sand Mountain (15-15) 61
LaFayette (23-7) 53, Section (17-13) 44
2A Boys’ Finals
Gaston (24-6) vs. LaFayette (23-7), Wed., Feb. 21, 2:15 p.m.
CLASS 3A GIRLS
Susan Moore (25-4) 81, Sylvania (12-22) 38
Plainview (29-5) 72, Piedmont (18-11) 24
3A Girls’ Finals
Susan Moore (25-4) vs. Plainview (29-5), Feb. 22, 12:30 p.m.
3A BOYS
Plainview (26-7) 64, Susan Moore (13-10) 29
Geraldine (22-7) 71, Piedmont (17-11) 50
3A Boys’ Finals
Plainview (26-7) vs. Geraldine (22-7), Feb. 22, 2:15 p.m.
CLASS 4A GIRLS
Cherokee County (27-4) 49, Handley (23-9) 48
Anniston (26-4) 44, New Hope (14-11) 40
4A Girls’ Finals
Cherokee County (27-4) vs. Anniston (26-4), Thurs., Feb. 22, 9 a.m.
CLASS 4A BOYS
New Hope (19-8) 51, Oneonta (20-11) 47
DAR (24-9) 55, Anniston (20-8) 51
4A Boys’ Finals
New Hope (19-8) vs. DAR (24-9),Thurs., Feb. 22, 10:45 a.m.
CLASS 5A GIRLS
Southside (25-5) 56, Moody (28-5) 45
Scottsboro (25-6) 54, Springville (16-16) 38
5A Girls’ Finals
Southside (25-5) vs. Scottsboro (25-6), Wed., Feb. 21, 9 a.m.
CLASS 5A BOYS
Guntersville (19-10) 69, Sardis (28-3) 60
Scottsboro (20-8) 57, Leeds (18-13) 33
5A Boys’ Finals
Guntersville (19-10) vs. Scottsboro (20-8), Wed., Feb. 21, 10:45 a.m.
CLASS 6A GIRLS
Shades Valley (17-14) 71, Oxford (17-14) 54
Huffman (22-8) 40, Minor (20-12) 32
6A Girls’ Finals
Huffman (23-8) 57, Shades Valley (17-15) 43 (Huffman is NE 6A girls’ state qualifier)
CLASS 6A BOYS
Mountain Brook (25-7) 62, Gardendale (19-8) 42
Homewood (24-8) 60, Huffman (13-18) 47
6A Boys’ Finals
Mountain Brook (26-7) 55, Homewood (24-9) 49 (Mountain Brook is NE 6A boys’ state qualifier)
CLASS 7A GIRLS
Hewitt-Trussville (26-5) 64, Grissom (12-13) 22
Chelsea (26-5) 40, Sparkman (21-8) 28
7A Girls’ Finals
Hewitt-Trussville (27-5) 54, Chelsea (26-6) 44 (Hewitt-Trussville is NE 7A girls’ state qualifier)
CLASS 7A BOYS
Grissom (18-13) 47, Chelsea (13-19) 38
Huntsville (31-2) 56, Oak Mountain (14-16) 38
7A Boys’ Finals
Huntsville (32-2) 39, Grissom (18-14) 31 (Huntsville is NE 7A boys’ state qualifier)
NORTHWEST REGIONAL
Tom Drake Coliseum, Wallace State College
CLASS 1A GIRLS
Belgreen (27-6) 54, Meek (16-9) 34
Marion County (15-15) 63, Shoals Christian (22-8) 56
1A Girls’ Finals
Marion County (17-14) 60, Belgreen (27-7) 48 (Marion County is NW 1A girls’ qualifier)
CLASS 1A BOYS
Shoals Christian (17-14) 68, Lynn (16-8) 51
Covenant Christian (24-8) 66, Marion County (24-9) 57
1A Boys’ Finals
Covenant Christian (25-8) 49, Shoals Christian (17-15) 33 (Covenant Christian is NW 1A boys state qualifier)
CLASS 2A GIRLS
Decatur Heritage (26-4) 51, Whitesburg Christian (10-18) 30
Mars Hill Bible (22-5) 61, Sulligent (23-5) 43
2A Girls’ Finals
Mars Hill Bible (23-5) 57, Decatur Heritage (26-5) 44 (Mars Hill Bible is NW 2A girls’ state qualifier)
CLASS 2A BOYS
Tanner (18-7) 63, Decatur Heritage (14-8) 49
Mars Hill Bible (24-2) 59, Red Bay (22-8) 28
2A Boys’ Finals
Mars Hill Bible (25-2) 82, Tanner (18-8) 56 (Mars Hill Bible is NW 2A boys’ state qualifier)
CLASS 3A GIRLS
Clements (23-9) 78, Childersburg (21-9) 38
Lauderdale County (28-1) 74, Midfield (16-10) 37
3A Girls’ Finals
Clements (23-9) vs. Lauderdale County (28-1), Wed., Feb. 21, 12:30 p.m.
CLASS 3A BOYS
Danville (21-9) 49, Winfield (23-11) 42
Midfield (22-9) 61, Carbon Hill (25-7) 54
3A Boys’ Finals
Danville (21-9) vs. Midfield (22-9), Wed., Feb. 21, 2:15 p.m.
CLASS 4A GIRLS
Good Hope (30-2) 68, Deshler (25-7) 45
Priceville (19-11) 47, Hamilton (25-6) 42
4A Girls’ Finals
Good Hope (30-2) vs. Priceville (19-11, Wed., Feb. 21, 4 p.m.
CLASS 4A BOYS
Deshler (22-11) 81, Good Hope (20-11) 71
West Morgan (15-14) 50, Haleyville (8-15) 47
4A Boys’ Finals
Deshler (22-11) vs. West Morgan (15-14), Wed., Feb. 21, 5:45 p.m.
CLASS 5A GIRLS
Jasper (28-4) 63, West Point (24-6) 39
Pleasant Grove (22-7) 52, Ramsay (17-14) 23
5A Girls’ Finals
Jasper (28-4) vs. Pleasant Grove (22-7), Wed., Feb. 21, 9 a.m.
CLASS 5A BOYS
Ramsay (23-8) 74, Russellville (18-7) 43
Fairfield (26-2) 62, Madison Academy (25-7) 57
5A Boys’ Finals
Ramsay (23-8) vs. Fairfield (25-2), Wed., Feb. 21, 10:45 a.m.
CLASS 6A GIRLS
Hartselle (21-6) 50, Muscle Shoals (18-7) 46
Hazel Green (28-4) 57, Clay-Chalkville (26-2) 29
6A Girls’ Finals
Hazel Green (29-4) 57, Hartselle (21-7) 39 (Hazel Green is NW 6A girls’ state qualifier)
CLASS 6A BOYS
Cullman (23-8) 56, Muscle Shoals (18-6) 51 (OT)
Buckhorn (26-5) 61, Clay-Chalkville (23-9) 51
6A Boys’ Finals
Buckhorn (27-6) 62, Cullman (23-9) 37 (Buckhorn is NW 6A boys’ state qualifier)
CLASS 7A GIRLS
Hoover (25-7) 58, James Clemens (21-11) 46
Bob Jones (28-3) 40, Vestavia Hills (25-5) 37
7A Girls’ Finals
Hoover (26-7) 58, Bob Jones (29-4) 55 (Hoover is the NW 7A girls’ state qualifier)
CLASS 7A BOYS
Hoover (27-3) 65, Austin (27-6) 49
Thompson (22-9) 63, James Clemens (19-11) 43
7A Boys’ Finals
Hoover (28-3) 77, Thompson (22-10) 53 (Hoover is NW 7A boys’ state qualifier)
Cover Photo: Park Crossing’s Caden Anderson-Teal (12) jumps high to block a shot attempt by Carver-Montgomery’s Conor McPherson in the South Class 6A Regional boys’ finals at Garrett Coliseum. McPherson had 12 points in the Wolverines’ 67-49 win over their cross-town rivals to clinch a berth in the 6A state tourney. (AHSAA Photo | David Holtsford)
