Mars Hill Bible’s Second-Half Surge Seals Class 3A Semifinal Victory Over Houston Academy
Mars Hill Bible Advances to Class 3A State Championship
BIRMINGHAM, AL – Mars Hill Bible’s boys’ basketball team secured a convincing 63-51 win over Houston Academy in the AHSAA Class 3A semifinals on Tuesday at BJCC’s Legacy Arena. A strong third-quarter run proved decisive for the Panthers, earning them a spot in Friday’s championship game.
Mars Hill dominated the second half after entering halftime with a narrow 27-24 lead. With the game tied at 31-31, the Panthers erupted with a 15-2 run in the third quarter, fueled in part by technical fouls called against Houston Academy. Mars Hill extended their lead to as many as 19 points in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach.
“These guys thrive on tough challenges,” said Mars Hill coach Jeremy Pounders. “They either love adversity or enjoy making me stress, but the more difficult the situation, the better they perform.”
The victory improves Mars Hill’s record to 24-8 this season and sends them to the Class 3A championship game, scheduled for Friday at 2:15 p.m. The defending Class 2A champions, Mars Hill moved up to Class 3A this year and now have a chance to secure back-to-back state titles.
Standout Performances Power Mars Hill
Sam Sweatt led the Panthers with 14 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and two blocks. Tate Barrier knocked down four three-pointers en route to a 16-point performance, while Winn Crook contributed 13 points and nine rebounds. Brooks Campbell added 11 points to round out Mars Hill’s balanced attack.
For Houston Academy, Kadyn Mitchell stood out with 24 points, 11 rebounds, and six steals, while Gabe Glover added 17 points. Despite their efforts, Houston Academy (19-5) saw their 13-game winning streak come to an end.
Key Third-Quarter Momentum Shift
Mars Hill broke open a close game with a dominant stretch in the third quarter. “The technical fouls played a part,” said Houston Academy head coach Ron Watson. “The second one was on me—I was backing up my player. But we didn’t value the ball in the second half, and it hurt us.”
The game was tied at 11-11 after the first quarter, and Mars Hill gradually built a three-point lead by halftime. The Panthers’ third-quarter surge, however, ultimately put the game out of reach for Houston Academy.
Mars Hill already defeated Houston Academy 50-43 in December 2024 during the Class 3A football championship game at Protective Stadium, located just a few blocks from Legacy Arena.
A Chance for History
Mars Hill’s basketball program is no stranger to success. After winning their first state title in 2024 and finishing as runner-up in 1996, 2001, and 2022, the Panthers now have the opportunity to secure their second consecutive championship.
“We’re not focused on defending last year’s title,” Pounders said. “This is a new season, and we still have work to do.”
What’s Next?
The AHSAA State Basketball Championships continue Tuesday with more semifinal games in Classes 3A and 4A. Semifinals for Classes 5A and 6A will take place Wednesday, followed by Class 7A on Thursday. Championship games for Class 1A girls and boys tip off Thursday, with title games for Classes 2A, 3A, and 4A scheduled for Friday, Feb. 28. The tournament concludes on Saturday, March 1, with championship games for Classes 5A, 6A, and 7A.
FEATURED IMAGE: Mars Hill Bible 6-foot-8 senior Sam Sweatt takes aim in the 3A semifinals as Jordan Forrester of Houston Academy defends. (AHSAA PHOTO | David Holtsford)
