Fourth Quarter Surge Lifts Tuscaloosa Academy Past Section in Class 2A Boys Hoops Semifinal

BIRMINGHAM, AL  – Tuscaloosa Academy reclaimed control in the final quarter Monday night, outscoring Section 18-0 in the closing minutes to secure a 72-56 win during the 105th AHSAA Basketball Championships at the BJCC’s Legacy Arena. 

The Knights (21-1), led by head coach Luke Hutcheson, battled back after Section (25-7) erased a 10-point halftime deficit with a dominant third-quarter run. Deadlocked at 53-53 early in the final period, Tuscaloosa senior forward Danilo Stojakovic delivered a standout performance to seal the win. He recorded a game-high 27 points, 10 rebounds, and five blocks, scoring 13 of those points during the fourth-quarter stretch. 

“We made some key adjustments on defense and slowed things down,” said Hutcheson. “The team kept their composure, handled a tough opponent, and finished strong. I couldn’t be prouder of them.” 

Matthew Atkins contributed 15 points and eight rebounds, while Ellis Hamiter chipped in 13 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. 

For Section, junior Jackson Cooper led the Lions with 20 points and five rebounds. Junior guard Jackson LeRoy added 15 points, seven rebounds, and four steals, while Sam Swinford scored 12 points and grabbed six boards. 

Game Highlights 
  • First Half: Tuscaloosa Academy controlled the second quarter, outpacing Section with a 27-16 lead midway through the period. Stojakovic capped the half with a layup, giving the Knights a 35-25 advantage as they entered halftime.
  • Third Quarter Comeback by Section: The Lions stormed back in the third, hitting five three-pointers and outscoring Tuscaloosa 28-16. A 12-1 run late in the quarter put the Lions up 49-45. 
  • Final Quarter Dominance: The Knights responded with an 8-0 run to open the fourth. Stojakovic scored 10 consecutive points after a LeRoy three-pointer briefly trimmed Tuscaloosa’s lead to 59-56. His emphatic dunk with 1:15 remaining punctuated the Knights’ win. 
By the Numbers 
  • Tuscaloosa Academy shot 49.2% from the field and held a plus-20 advantage in points in the paint. 
  • Section was limited to 32.8% shooting overall and 25.7% from beyond the arc. 
What’s Next 

Tuscaloosa Academy advances to its first AHSAA state basketball championship in program history. The Knights will face top-ranked Providence Christian (29-2) on Friday at 10:45 a.m. at BJCC’s Legacy Arena, seeking their first AHSAA state title after transitioning from the AISA. 

“This is an amazing opportunity for our team,” said senior guard Ellis Hamiter. “We made it to the football state championship but came up short. We’re eager to finish the deal this time.” 

Section, winner of three previous state championships (1969, 2003, and 2022), exits the tournament after a hard-fought performance. 

“It didn’t go our way, but my guys gave it everything, and I’m incredibly proud of them,” said Section head coach Derek Wynn. 

Stay tuned as the AHSAA Basketball Championships continue with Class 3A and 4A matchups on Day 2.

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