Plainview runs past Cottage Hill Christian in AHSAA Girls’ Class 3A Semifinals
By Josh Bean | For the AHSAA
BIRMINGHAM – Plainview High School’s Lady Bears didn’t waste any time taking control of Tuesday’s Class 3A girls’ state semifinal at the BJCC’s Legacy Arena versus Cottage Hill Christian.
Sawyer Kate Hulgan completed a 3-point play just 41 seconds into the game, as Plainview (31-5) opened with a 12-0 run and pushed the advantage to 28-2 at end of the first quarter and 46-11 at halftime and breezed to an 81-24 win to capture a berth in Friday’s Class 3A girls’ state finals as the 104th AHSAA State Basketball Championships tourney continued Tuesday.
“We just wanted to make a big statement,” Plainview’s Lauren Jimmerson said of her team’s fast start. “We didn’t want to give the other team any chance.”
Plainview, coached by Luke Griggs, cruised through the second half, sending the Bears into Friday’s championship game against defending champion Trinity Presbyterian. Plainview will be going for its first AHSAA girls’ basketball state title.
Hulgan scored the game’s first nine points – two 3-pointers to go with her three-point play – on the way to a game-high 28 points. “I was just on today,” she said.
Plainview’s Jimmerson started the second half by making a 3-pointer, getting fouled and making the free throw for a four-point play. Jimmerson finished with 17 points.
Taylor Davidson led Cottage Hill Christian (15-14), coached by Brad Newton, with nine points and seven rebounds. Penny Luna added six points.
Newton noted the Warriors had never won a regional game before this season. “I’m super proud of these girls and what they accomplished,” Newton said.
Click here to check out schedules and scores from the 2024 AHSAA State Basketball Finals.
Plainview is trying for a rare triple championship in girls’ sports, having won the 3A softball title last spring and the 3A volleyball state championship last fall. “The girls work their butts off on whatever sport they play,” Griggs said.
Play continues today at the Legacy Arena with the remaining boys’ 3A semifinals and the Class 4A girls’ and boys’ semifinals. Classes 6A and 5A open their tourneys Wednesday, and Class 7A plays Thursday morning. Championship games will begin Thursday in Class 1A. Finals for Classes 2A, 3A and 4A will be Friday, and Classes 5A, 6A and 7A close out the 2024 state tourney on Saturday.
All semifinal games are being live streamed over the NFHS Network’s subscriber-based platform and live on the AHSAA TV Network. Check out the cable stations on the network at Television and will also be live streamed over the NFHS Network.
All 14 state championship games will be aired live over the Alabama Public Television Network and live streamed over the NFHS Network.
Cover Photo: Plainview’s Sawyer Kate Hulgan (13) drives past Cottage Hill’s Sydney Roossinck (14) finishing with 28 points to lead the Bears in the Class 3A semifinals. (AHSAA Photo | David Holtsford)
