Pisgah Secures 11th Girls State Basketball Championship

February 28, 2025

Pisgah Triumphs Over Decatur Heritage, 84-72, in Class 2A Finals

BIRMINGHAM, AL – Under the leadership of Coach Carey Ellison, the Pisgah Eagles added another chapter to their storied basketball legacy by clinching the AHSAA Class 2A Girls’ State Championship with a hard-fought 84-72 victory over Decatur Heritage. The championship game, held at BJCC’s Legacy Arena on February 28, 2025, marked Pisgah’s 11th state title and its first since their incredible streak of five consecutive wins from 2018 to 2022.

Tune into the #2AGirls post-game press conference for an @Encore_Rehab Live Look-In! #StateFinals | #Ball4ItAll | #2A https://t.co/npI6jGvHZN

— AHSAA (@AHSAAUpdates) February 28, 2025

Fourth-Quarter Surge Seals the Game

The game was a nail-biter for much of the second half. Pisgah led by 12 points at halftime but saw their lead erased when Decatur Heritage went on a blistering 15-0 run in the third quarter. Decatur Heritage’s Emma Eastman’s three-pointer gave them their first lead of the game (54-52) with 3:28 left in the quarter. From there, the teams exchanged buckets and entered the final period tied at 68.

Pisgah took over in the fourth quarter with a decisive 13-2 run. Madeline Flammia’s clutch free throws and a flurry of 3-pointers from Paisley Patalas helped push Pisgah ahead. Alli Romans’ perfect shooting from the free-throw line, including 9-for-9 overall, also played a critical role. A key moment came with 1:07 remaining when Flammia broke Decatur’s full-court press with a slick outlet pass that led to Romans’ layup, making it 81-70 and effectively sealing the win.

“Even when we were down, I had no doubt in this team,” Coach Ellison said. “Everything we needed to happen, happened.”

Offensive Depth Drives Pisgah’s Win

Five Pisgah players scored in double figures, showcasing the team’s depth and balance:

Paisley Patalas led the charge with 20 points and five rebounds.
Madeline Flammia added 15 points, seven assists, and two steals, earning tournament MVP honors.
Alli Romans contributed 15 points, nine rebounds, and shot flawlessly from the free-throw line.
Ashton Childress tallied 15 points, nine rebounds, and five assists.
Campbell Barron rounded out the attack with 15 points and seven rebounds.

Pisgah shot 47.2% from the field, 40% from three-point range, and an impressive 88% (22-of-25) from the free-throw line. They also dominated the boards, outrebounding Decatur Heritage 39-28.

Pisgah’s Campbell Barron (3) sinks a layup in the Class 2A finals Friday morning at BJCC Legacy Arena. (AHSAA Photo | David Holtsford)

Decatur Heritage Fought Hard

Despite the loss, Decatur Heritage (28-8) put up a valiant effort, led by an outstanding performance from Genie McGhee. McGhee filled up the stat sheet with 32 points, 11 assists, seven rebounds, five steals, and four blocks, while Leslie Hames added 23 points and seven rebounds. Decatur Heritage’s full-court press caused trouble for Pisgah, generating 14 turnovers and 26 points off those errors.

“Pisgah played one of their best games tonight,” said Decatur Heritage coach Johnny Jones. “Both teams left it all on the court.”

A Legacy of Excellence

Pisgah’s victory extends their incredible basketball tradition. With an overall record of 22-8 this season, the Eagles further solidified their status as one of Alabama’s premier programs. Coach Ellison has now guided the team to an astounding nine titles, with championships spanning from 1997 to 2025.

“If anyone deserved this championship, it’s these ladies,” Ellison said. “They’ve been underestimated so many times, but they never quit. This one feels extra special.”

Decatur Heritage’s Genie Troupe drives in for a bucket in Friday morning’s Class 2A finals at the BJCC Legacy Arena. (AHSAA PHOTO | David Holtsford)

Class 2A Girls All-Tournament Honors

Several players were recognized for their outstanding performances across the tournament:

Madeline Flammia (Pisgah) – MVP
Campbell Barron (Pisgah)
Paisley Patalas (Pisgah)
Ashton Childress (Pisgah)
Genie McGhee (Decatur Heritage)
Leslie Hames (Decatur Heritage)

Final Thoughts

With a blend of skill, resilience, and teamwork, Pisgah delivered a performance for the ages. Their impressive fourth-quarter rally and balanced scoring secured yet another championship for a program bursting with tradition and excellence. High school sports fans in Alabama will surely remember this matchup as one of the great girls’ basketball finals.

FEATURED IMAGE: Class 2A state tourney MVP Madeline Flammia drives up court with a Decatur Heritage defender closely guarding her. (AHSAA PHOTO | David Holtsford)