Marion County Defeats Francis Marion 74-41 in AHSAA Class 1A Girls Semifinals

BIRMINGHAM, AL – The Marion County High School Lady Red Raiders secured their spot in the Class 1A state championship game with a decisive 74-41 victory over Francis Marion. Playing at the BJCC’s Legacy Arena in Birmingham, the Red Raiders used a massive second-quarter scoring run and a barrage of three-pointers to overwhelm the Rams on Monday morning.

The game marked the opening of the 106th AHSAA State Basketball Championships. With this semifinal victory, the No. 3 ranked Red Raiders improve their season record to 30-4. They will now advance to Thursday’s title game, where they will chase their first state championship since 2022.

For Francis Marion, the loss concludes a historic 28-4 season. The Rams reached the state tournament for the first time since 1993, snapping a three-decade drought.

A Slow Start and Early Defensive Battles

The semifinal matchup began as a closely contested battle. Marion County entered the game with a reputation for sharp perimeter shooting, but the team struggled to find its rhythm in the opening minutes. The Red Raiders made just one of their first seven attempts from beyond the three-point arc.

Francis Marion capitalized on these early shooting struggles. The Rams relied on their rebounding strength to stay within striking distance through the first quarter. Leondra Rawls controlled the glass for Francis Marion, helping her team secure second-chance opportunities and keeping the score tight. The Rams trailed by just eight points at the end of the first period.

Marion County head coach Scott Veal recognized the early offensive issues but trusted his team’s system. “We started off slow, but I knew we could find our gear if we were patient with it,” Veal said after the game. “That’s what we did.”

The Turning Point: An 18-1 Second Quarter Run

The momentum shifted dramatically in the middle of the second quarter. Sophomore guard Bekah Junkin, who missed her first five three-point attempts, adjusted her mechanics and found her stroke. She connected on her first three-pointer with six minutes remaining in the first half, sparking a relentless offensive surge.

Junkin’s perimeter shooting ignited an 18-1 run for the Red Raiders. During a crucial five-minute span, Junkin scored 12 points and hit all five of her shots from the floor. This offensive explosion completely dismantled the Francis Marion defense.

While the offense clicked into gear, Marion County’s defense locked down the Rams. The Red Raiders utilized multiple aggressive pressing schemes to disrupt Francis Marion’s ball handlers. This defensive pressure forced 19 turnovers throughout the game, which Marion County directly converted into 24 points on the other end of the floor.

Francis Marion coach Leslye Essex noted how the sudden shift affected her team. “I think we got a little frustrated when they started making the threes,” Essex said. The Rams managed to score only six points in the entire second quarter, allowing Marion County to take a commanding 41-18 lead into the halftime break.

Red Raiders Maintain Control in the Second Half

Marion County never relaxed its defensive pressure or offensive pacing in the second half. The Red Raiders continued to push the ball down the court, accumulating 19 fast-break points. Their lead expanded to as many as 33 points during the final two quarters.

The perimeter shooting remained consistent throughout the second half. All five Marion County starters successfully made at least one three-pointer. By the final buzzer, the Red Raiders had converted 12 of their 34 attempts from three-point range. To put this performance into perspective, Marion County recorded a total of just 11 made three-pointers across their two previous wins in the Northwest Regional tournament. They matched that entire regional total by the late stages of the third quarter on Monday.

Despite their perimeter success, Marion County also controlled the interior scoring. The Red Raiders outscored the Rams 26-14 in the paint. Francis Marion won the overall rebounding battle 45-43, but Marion County’s efficient 41% shooting from the floor offset the Rams’ slight advantage on the glass. Francis Marion struggled offensively throughout the morning, finishing the game shooting just 22% from the field and 5-of-32 from beyond the arc.

Key Performances Drive the Victory

Several Marion County players delivered standout performances to secure the semifinal win. Senior forward Jolie Kate Cox led the team with a double-double, recording a team-high 20 points and pulling down 11 rebounds. Cox also showcased her range by shooting 3-of-8 from the three-point line.

Bekah Junkin finished the game with 16 points, five rebounds, and a team-high five steals, proving instrumental in both the offensive breakout and the defensive press. Jadin McCollum provided a strong presence in the frontcourt, adding 13 points and eight rebounds. Senior Lily Robinson orchestrated the offense effectively, contributing 12 points, eight rebounds, and a team-high seven assists.

Francis Marion leaned heavily on Tracianna Moore, who led the Rams with 20 points and eight rebounds. Jessica Essex added 13 points and six rebounds, though she struggled from deep, going 3-of-15 on three-point attempts. Leondra Rawls anchored the defense with a team-high 13 rebounds, six points, and two blocked shots. Kekashia Shelton also contributed 10 rebounds for the Rams.

Francis Marion Caps a Historic Season

Despite the semifinal exit, Francis Marion completed a remarkable season. The Rams finished with 28 wins and reestablished their program on the state stage.

Coach Leslye Essex holds a unique connection to the program’s history. She was a senior player on the Francis Marion team the last time the Rams reached the state tournament in 1993. Returning as head coach and guiding the program back to Birmingham represents a massive achievement for the school.

“We had a great season,” Essex said following the game. “They hung in there and didn’t give up.”

Looking Ahead to the State Championship Game

Marion County will now prepare for the Class 1A state championship game, scheduled for Thursday at 4 p.m. at Legacy Arena. They will face the No. 1 ranked Winterboro Bulldogs in a battle for the blue map trophy.

The Red Raiders carry a strong sense of motivation into Thursday’s final. Last season, Marion County fell just one win short of the Final Four, suffering a narrow three-point loss to Brilliant in the Northwest Regional Final. That defeat fueled the team’s preparation for the current season.

“After that loss last year, we made it our mindset to get back here,” Jolie Kate Cox said. “Not only to get back but to win a blue map. That’s our goal.”

Coach Veal echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the team’s year-long focus on returning to the championship stage. “I told our girls all year that this is what our goal was,” Veal said. “We worked hard. We finally got it through their heads, this is what we wanted to do. It’s just good to be back in Birmingham.”

For seniors like Lily Robinson, Thursday represents the final opportunity to secure a high school basketball championship. “I think being older, being a senior on the team, you have more to carry,” Robinson said. “This is my last go-around, so I want to end it on a big win.”

FEATURED IMAGE: Marion County’s Zelia Williams (2) makes a basket as Francis Marion’s Leondra Rawls (22) defends in Monday’s 1A girls’ state tourney opener at the BJCC (AHSAA PHOTO | David Holtsford)