2024 State FinalsAHSAABrewbaker TechGirl's BasketballJasper Vikings

Fast Start Propels Jasper Girls Past Brewbaker Tech in AHSAA Class 5A Girls Semifinals

February 28, 2024

By Josh Bean | For the AHSAA

BIRMINGHAM – Jasper High School had never played in the AHSAA State Finals at the BJCC’s Legacy Arena before Wednesday night.

Nobody could tell.

Jasper scored the game’s first 14 points, and Mia Hollingsworth made six 3-pointers, all in the first half, as the Vikings rolled to a 64-31 victory over Brewbaker Tech (19-15) in the AHSAA State Basketball Championships Class 5A girls’ semifinals. The Vikings (30-4) did not commit a turnover in the first half.

“I love how we came out,” Jasper coach Blake Laney said. “We started fast. You would have thought it was our fourth or fifth trip to the final four. They handled it. The moment wasn’t too big. I think we showed we’re a force to be reckoned with.”

Hear from Coach Blake Laney from @JasperGirls following his teams victory in the 5A Semifinals pic.twitter.com/Hl7MEDDPZR
— AHSAA (@AHSAAUpdates) February 28, 2024

Hollingsworth finished with 26 points and three assists, and Missy Odom added 19 points, nine rebounds and three blocked shots. Idaysia Mercer had 13 points, five steals and two assists.

Jasper advances to Saturday’s championship game against Scottsboro (26-6) or Gulf Shores (29-6), which play later Wednesday in the other state semifinal. Tip-off for Saturday’s title game is set for 9 a.m. Jasper is trying to win its first girls’ basketball state title in school history.

Jasper led 18-3 at end of the first quarter and 40-11 at halftime and 56-18 at the end of the third quarter“.

They can shoot the ball,” Brewbaker Tech coach Cynthia Thompson said, referring to the Vikings. “Once they started shooting, they kept shooting. They were just hitting shots.”

Erin Martin led Brewbaker with 10 points, while Kennedi McGhee and Jillian Baine had nine points apiece. McGhee added 12 rebounds.

Jasper senior guard Mia Hollingsworth (30) works behind a screen by Hallie Harrell (22) to sink one of her six 3-pointers in the 5A semifinals. Hollingsworth led all scorers with 26 points. (AHSAA PHOTO | David Holtsford)

Play continues Wednesday with the remaining Class 5A girls’ and boys’ semifinals. Class 7A plays its semifinal games Thursday.

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. All 14 state championship games will be aired live over the Alabama Public Television Network and live streamed over the NFHS Network.

Cover Photo: Jasper’s Missy Odom (33) powers inside for two of her 17 points in Wednesday’s Vikings win over Brewbaker Tech in the 5A state semifinals. (AHSAA PHOTO | David Holtsford)