Brantley Powers Past Wadley to Reach AHSAA Class 1A Title Game
BIRMINGHAM, AL – Brantley High School is heading back to the Class 1A boys’ state basketball championship game for the second straight year. The Bulldogs secured their spot with a decisive 62-47 victory over Wadley in the semifinal round on Monday at the BJCC’s Legacy Arena in Birmingham.
The win sets the stage for a highly anticipated championship showdown against Hubbertville. This will be a rematch of last year’s semifinal, where Brantley emerged victorious. Now, with a state title on the line, both teams are preparing for a fierce contest.
Melton Dominates in the Magic City
Freshman Devin Melton delivered a commanding performance that powered the Bulldogs to victory. The 6-foot-9 center, a team captain, recorded an impressive double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds. His presence was felt on both ends of the floor as he also tallied six blocked shots and a handful of powerful dunks that energized his team.
Although Wadley scored the first basket of the game, Melton quickly answered with a putback and a dunk within the opening minute. From that point on, Brantley never relinquished the lead. The team methodically built its advantage throughout the game, demonstrating poise and control.
Coach Andre Parks praised his team’s focus. “We handled the moment very well,” he noted after the game. The Bulldogs entered the half with a 34-27 lead and continued to pull away, extending their lead to as many as 21 points in the fourth quarter. Parks attributed the second-half dominance to their strategy: “If we kept playing with pace, we felt we could wear them down.”
Key Contributions and Team Effort
While Melton was the standout performer, Brantley’s victory was a true team effort. Senior Julius Sylvester also achieved a double-double, contributing 16 points and 11 rebounds. Fred Bogan and Jackson Mitchell added nine points each, providing crucial offensive support.
Wadley, making its first appearance in the basketball Final Four after winning two state football championships, fought hard. Their star senior, Frisco Robertson, was limited by foul trouble in the first half but finished the game with a team-high 16 points. Demon Spraddling also had a solid game, scoring 11 points and grabbing nine rebounds.
“They got in a groove,” Wadley coach Jerrell Burns said of Brantley’s performance. Despite the loss, Burns expressed pride in his team’s journey. “Several people didn’t think Wadley could get here in basketball, but we proved them wrong.”
Redemption and a Rematch
The Brantley Bulldogs (24-7) are now focused on redemption. After a heartbreaking 69-67 loss to R.C. Hatch in last year’s championship game, they are determined to claim the title that eluded them. The program is chasing its first state championship since winning three consecutive titles from 1993 to 1995.
Their final opponent, Hubbertville, will not make it easy. The Lions are also seeking vengeance after Brantley defeated them in last year’s semifinal. Hubbertville secured its place in the final by upsetting the defending champions, R.C. Hatch, in a 71-60 semifinal victory.
The championship game represents a clash between the two top teams in Class 1A. “I think we are the two best teams in 1A, and that’s what you want at this point,” said Coach Parks. The stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to the season as Brantley and Hubbertville face off for the state title on Thursday.
FEATURED IMAGE: Brantley 6-foot-9 freshman Devin Melton slams a dunk over Wadley defenders Jaylun Marable (3) and Desmond Thomas (10). AHSAA PHOTO | Cody Kanady)
