Florence Downs Fairhope 74-62 to Advance to Class 7A Boys Title Game 

Jalen Chandler’s 41 Points Propels Florence Past Fairhope 

BIRMINGHAM, AL – Florence senior Jalen Chandler delivered a stellar performance Thursday at Legacy Arena, scoring 41 points and leading the Falcons to a 74-62 victory over the Fairhope Pirates in the Class 7A boys semifinals. 

Chandler, standing at 6-foot-7, shined on the big stage, shooting 15-of-25 from the field and sinking 10-of-12 free throws. He added 10 rebounds and four steals, helping the Falcons (27-7) secure a spot in their first-ever Class 7A state title game. 

“It’s my fifth time playing here,” said Chandler, referring to his previous appearances at Legacy Arena with Covenant Christian, where he won a Class 1A state championship and earned runner-up honors in prior seasons. “I just feel confident and comfortable here. It’s all about trusting my teammates and coaches.” 

Florence surged ahead in the third quarter with a decisive 10-0 run, building a 15-point advantage. Despite a late push from Fairhope, the Falcons held strong behind Chandler’s seven-point streak in a critical 10-0 fourth-quarter run, which included a fastbreak dunk to put the game out of reach. 

“When they cut it to five, I was confident we could swing back,” Florence coach Dylan Burleson said. “The guys were ready, and Jalen stepped up big. Tonight, he had the kind of performance every great team needs in a moment like this.” 

Fairhope (24-7) fought valiantly, led by Jackson Gulley’s 21 points and eight rebounds, with Jaden Champion contributing 14 points. The Pirates trimmed the lead to 58-53 early in the fourth quarter but struggled to maintain momentum. 

“Chandler was unstoppable,” Fairhope coach Ralph Watson said. “I watched six games of film on Florence, but it’s tough to prepare for a player of his caliber. He delivered an All-State-level performance.” 

Alongside Chandler’s heroics, Florence saw consistent efforts from Jamarrion Reeder (10 points), Jaylen Blackwell (9 points, 6 rebounds), and Bryant James (8 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists). The Falcons also dominated on the offensive glass, securing 19 offensive rebounds to maximize their scoring opportunities. 

The Falcons now prepare to face top-ranked Hoover in Saturday’s Class 7A state championship game, slated to tip off at 5:45 p.m. 

“This is the game we’ve been working toward since November,” Burleson added. “Getting here is great, but now we have to finish the job.” 

The Florence Falcons aim to make history by capturing their first state basketball title since the school was formed through the consolidation of Coffee and Bradshaw high schools. Coffee last won state championships in 1980 and 1951, while Bradshaw earned a crown in 1976. 

Key Stats 

  • Florence 
    • Jalen Chandler – 41 points, 10 rebounds, 4 steals 
    • Bryant James – 8 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists 
    • Jamarrion Reeder – 10 points 
    • Jaylen Blackwell – 9 points, 6 rebounds 
  • Fairhope 
    • Jackson Gulley – 21 points, 8 rebounds 
    • Jaden Champion – 14 points 

Florence fans are already gearing up for the title game, ready to cheer the Falcons to what could be a historic victory.

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