Saint James Ends Sylvania’s Run to Advance to Class 3A Girls’ Title Game
Lady Trojans Secure 63-44 Victory in Class 3A Semifinals
The Saint James Lady Trojans left no room for a late-game comeback by Sylvania, securing their spot in the Class 3A state finals with a decisive 63-44 win at the BJCC’s Legacy Arena on Tuesday.
The Trojans (34-2) opened strong, scoring the first 10 points of the game, but Sylvania fought back to briefly take a 23-22 lead late in the second quarter. However, Saint James responded immediately, closing the half on an 11-0 run that effectively shifted the momentum. Sylvania (18-15) couldn’t cut the deficit to fewer than nine points for the remainder of the game.
“This has been our goal, and they’ve done it,” Saint James coach Katie Barton said. “It wasn’t the prettiest game, but we got the job done.”
With this victory, the Trojans advanced to Friday’s championship game against Lauderdale County (33-1), the top-ranked team in Class 3A. The finals tip off at 12:30 p.m.
Trojans Start Fast and Finish Strong
Saint James dominated the opening minutes, building a 16-3 lead within the first five minutes. Sylvania rallied just before halftime, taking a 23-22 lead thanks to a 3-pointer by Avery Jenkins with 2:35 remaining. However, Saint James’ Jordyn McRae quickly answered with a layup, sparking the 11-point run that gave the Trojans a 33-23 halftime lead.
Top Performers Propel Saint James
Eighth-grader Morgan Lilly led Saint James with a standout 17 points. Fellow eighth-grader Jordyn McRae delivered an all-around performance with 13 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Sophomore Natalie Barton contributed 12 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds, while Kaitlin Mitchell added 10 points.
Sylvania’s Shooting Falls Short
Meridith Jackson led Sylvania with 15 points, all from 3-point range. Jaidyn Ashley chipped in with 12 points, and Molly Weaver added nine points and six assists. Sylvania, whose tallest starter stands at 5-foot-7, leaned heavily on 3-point shooting, going 11-of-34 (32%). The Rams were vying for their first girls’ state basketball title in school history.
Trojans Focus Shifts to Championship Showdown
Saint James will face a challenging matchup against Lauderdale County, the No. 1 team in the ASWA’s season-ending rankings. Friday’s game marks another chance at redemption for the Trojans, who fell to Deshler in the 2021 Class 4A title game.
“The job isn’t finished,” said Kaitlin Mitchell, emphasizing the team’s focus on claiming the championship.
Saint James enters the finals ranked No. 2 in Class 3A, bringing their determination and momentum to the court in what promises to be a thrilling contest for the state title.
FEATURED IMAGE: Kaitlin Mitchell (11) of Saint James takes aim as teammate Jordan McRae (23) sets a screen in the Class 3A girls’ semifinals at the Legacy Arena. (AHSAA PHOTO | David Holtsford)
