Hubbertville Stuns Defending Champion R.C. Hatch in AHSAA Class 1A Semifinals

BIRMINGHAM, AL – The Hubbertville Lions walked into the BJCC’s Legacy Arena with a singular focus on Monday afternoon. They wanted to erase the painful memories of last year’s playoff exit. The Lions accomplished exactly that, executing a massive fourth-quarter comeback to defeat the defending state champion R.C. Hatch Bobcats 71-60 in the Class 1A semifinals.

This decisive victory propels Hubbertville into the championship game of the AHSAA state tournament. The Lions improve to 30-5 on the season and secure an opportunity to win their first state basketball title since 1948. R.C. Hatch finishes its impressive season with a 26-2 record, falling short of securing a 13th state championship for the storied program.

The matchup featured significant momentum swings, intense physical play, and a historic scoring run that ultimately decided the outcome. Fans witnessed a dramatic shift in control as the Lions overcame an early double-digit deficit to secure their place in the finals.

A Matchup Defined by Motivation and Memory

Motivation played a massive role in this Class 1A semifinals clash. Last year, Hubbertville suffered a heartbreaking loss to Brantley on the exact same floor. During that game, the Lions surrendered an 11-0 run in the final 54 seconds of the first half.

The Hubbertville basketball team used that collapse as fuel for the entire 2026 season. Players even wore warmup shirts featuring the number “54” to constantly remind themselves of those crucial lost seconds. The team adopted the word “Legacy” as their breaking-huddle chant, referencing both the arena name and the history they hoped to write.

R.C. Hatch entered the contest looking to build on its own legendary status. The Bobcats boast an AHSAA record 12 boys’ basketball state championships. They brought a veteran squad to Birmingham, intent on securing back-to-back titles under head coach Kris Hood.

Hubbertville Overcomes an Early Double-Digit Deficit

The Bobcats demonstrated their championship pedigree immediately after the opening tip. R.C. Hatch jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead in the first two minutes, utilizing their size and rebounding ability to control the paint. The Bobcats expanded their advantage to 20-8 late in the first quarter, threatening to turn the game into a blowout.

Hubbertville refused to fold under the early pressure. The Lions engineered a critical 6-0 run to close the first quarter, narrowing the gap to 20-14 and stabilizing the game. This shift in momentum allowed Hubbertville to settle into their offensive sets and tighten their defensive rotations.

Flipping the Script Before The Break

The final minute of the second quarter provided the ultimate redemption for the Lions. Facing the exact 54-second mark that doomed them a year prior, Hubbertville executed flawlessly.

Kane Rushing converted a highly contested layup with 54 seconds remaining, sparking a 4-0 run to close the half. This late surge gave Hubbertville a narrow 28-27 lead heading into the locker room. The Lions outscored the Bobcats 20-7 over the final 10 minutes of the first half.

Bobcats Second Half Surge

The teams traded blows throughout a highly competitive third quarter. R.C. Hatch briefly reclaimed the lead after a technical foul on Hubbertville’s Blaize Wakefield resulted in two made free throws. The Bobcats built a 42-40 advantage on a 3-pointer from Jahad Jackson, setting the stage for a dramatic final period.

R.C. Hatch appeared ready to pull away early in the fourth quarter. Desarion Lewis connected on a deep corner 3-pointer with 6:06 left to play, giving the Bobcats a 57-51 lead.

Lions 16-0 Run Seals the Deal

Facing elimination, the Hubbertville basketball defense elevated its intensity. The Lions completely shut down the R.C. Hatch offense, holding the defending champions scoreless for more than five minutes.

While the defense generated stops, the Hubbertville offense caught fire. Wakefield and Cameron Pendley hit consecutive 3-pointers to quickly erase the deficit. The Lions engineered a stunning 16-0 run during this stretch. Tracee Cowan III capped the massive surge with a crucial free throw, extending the Hubbertville lead to 67-57 with just 1:14 remaining.

Cole Brand and Rushing knocked down clutch free throws in the final 30 seconds to officially put the game out of reach.

Examining the Box Score

The stat sheet reflects an incredibly balanced and hard-fought basketball game. Remarkably, both teams attempted exactly 63 shots from the field, and both teams successfully converted seven 3-pointers. R.C. Hatch won the rebounding battle 42-40, a respectable margin considering their size advantage over the smaller Hubbertville roster.

Hubbertville Player Performances

Kane Rushing delivered a legendary ironman performance for the Lions. The junior guard played all 32 minutes of the contest, leading all scorers with 22 points. He also pulled down 13 rebounds and distributed four assists to guide his team to victory.

Cole Brand provided consistent perimeter scoring, finishing the afternoon with 19 points. Blaize Wakefield recorded a vital double-double, tallying 14 points and 11 rebounds while providing physical interior defense. Cameron Pendley chipped in 10 points, including massive shots during the fourth-quarter run.

R.C. Hatch Player Performances

Isaiah Thomas anchored the Bobcats in his final high school game. The senior standout collected 16 points and an impressive 17 rebounds to dominate the glass.

Theotis Dudley, nephew of former SEC Player of the Year Erwin Dudley, contributed 14 points and nine rebounds. Desarion Lewis added 12 points, primarily from beyond the arc, while Jahad Jackson finished with 10 points for the Bobcats.

Looking Ahead to the Finals

The Hubbertville Lions now turn their attention to Thursday’s Class 1A championship game. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:45 p.m. at Legacy Arena. Head coach Caleb Hynds praised his team’s resilience, noting their exceptional defensive rebounding during the final stretch.

The players remain highly focused on the ultimate prize. They understand that securing an upset in the semifinals represents just one step toward their final goal.

“Just because we’re happy here right now doesn’t mean we’re done,” Wakefield noted after the game. “We’re here for the championship.”

For R.C. Hatch, the focus shifts to the offseason. Coach Hood stated that preparation for a return to Birmingham next year begins immediately, as the program looks to start a new championship streak in 2027.

FEATURED IMAGE: Hubbertville’s Cameron Pendley (00) lays up a shot in the 1A Boys’ semifinals Monday as R.C. Hatch’s Isiah Thomas defends for the Bobcats. (AHSAA PHOTO | David Holtsford)