Mars Hill Bible Rolls Past Locust Fork, Advances to AHSAA Class 2A Boys Title Game
Birmingham, AL – The Mars Hill Bible Panthers achieved a decisive 69-47 victory over the Locust Fork Hornets in the AHSAA Class 2A boys’ state basketball championships semifinals at the BJCC’s Legacy Arena. The Panthers closed the contest strong, outpacing the Hornets 22-12 in the fourth period.
The win propels head coach Jeremy Pounder’s Panthers (26-2) into the Class 2A state title game on Friday at 10:45 a.m. This follows the success of Mars Hill Bible’s girls’ squad, the defending state champions also secured a spot in the Class 2A girls’ finals on Friday morning at 9 a.m. after their 60-50 semifinal victory over Cold Springs.
Four Panthers scored in double figures. Eli Pounders led the way with 19 points and eight rebounds, along with three assists, four steals, and a blocked shot. Cannon Pigg followed with 15 points and nine rebounds, while Carson Thrasher added 13 points, and Sam Sweatt contributed 11 points and two steals.
Click here to check out the full schedule and score from the 2024 AHSAA State Finals.
Mars Hill’s defense effectively curtailed Locust Fork’s high-octane shooters, limiting them to a mere 28.6% from the field and only four successful shots out of 19 attempts from the 3-point arc. Levi White lead the Hornets (22-7) with 16 points and eight rebounds. His brother, Titus White, added 10 points, and Jalon Boatright contributed eight while adding a game-high 10 rebounds, and a pair of steals.
Despite the loss, head coach Brad Keaver’s Hornets, demonstrated strong play with 37 rebounds and eight steals. Mars Hill matched this performance with an equal number of rebounds and one additional take away.
The Panthers will face the the Highland Home Flying Squadron, who knocked off Lafayette 56-51 in their semifinal matchup, in the Class 2A state title game.
Cover Photo: Mars Hill Bible’s Eli Pounders leaps high to attempt a shot over Locust Fork’s Titus White (13) in the 2A Boys’ semifinals Monday night at the BJCC Legacy Arena. (AHSAA PHOTO | David Holtsford)
