Fairfield and Ashville Set for 4A Championship Showdown
BIRMINGHAM, AL – The stage is set for the Class 4A boys’ state championship after a thrilling night of semifinal basketball. Fairfield High School and Ashville High School both punched their tickets to the final with hard-fought victories on Tuesday night. Fairfield edged out Deshler in a 61-57 nail-biter, while Ashville delivered a stunning 70-55 upset over two-time defending champion Jackson.
The two victors will now face off for the state title at the BJCC Legacy Arena. The championship game is scheduled for Friday, March 6, with tip-off at 5:45 p.m. This matchup will pit a seasoned Fairfield program against an Ashville team making its first-ever appearance in the state final.
Ashville Dethrones Two-Time Champion Jackson 70-55
Ashville (31-3) made program history by defeating the powerhouse Jackson Aggies (25-2) to advance to their first-ever state championship game. The Bulldogs controlled the contest from the opening tip, never trailing throughout the 32 minutes of play.
The Bulldogs set the tone early, leading 20-15 after the first quarter and extending their advantage to 31-25 by halftime. A dominant third quarter, highlighted by a 10-0 run, pushed Ashville’s lead to 50-39 and put the game out of reach for the defending champions. Jackson, a team that had lost only once all season, struggled to find an answer for Ashville’s determined offense and sagging defense, which effectively clogged driving lanes.
Standout Performances
J.B. Potter delivered a monumental performance for the Bulldogs, finishing with a double-double of 26 points and 11 rebounds. Potter was exceptionally efficient, shooting a perfect 4-for-4 from three-point range and sinking all four of his free throws. He also contributed four steals on the defensive end.
Parker Smith and Nate Huckbay provided crucial secondary scoring, each adding 11 points. Smith also directed the offense with a game-high six assists and pulled down nine rebounds. For Jackson, Joseph Taylor led the effort with 22 points and seven rebounds, while Jiquell Armstrong scored 19. Keeyun Chapman recorded an impressive double-double with 12 points, 11 rebounds, and eight blocked shots in the losing effort.
The victory for Ashville ended Jackson’s quest for a third consecutive Class 4A state crown, a journey that included state titles in 2024 and 2025.
Fairfield Survives Deshler in 61-57 Thriller
In a game that came down to the final seconds, the Fairfield Tigers (25-10) secured their spot in the championship with a 61-57 victory over the Deshler Tigers (24-8). The game was a tight, back-and-forth affair that saw Fairfield pull away in the second half before withstanding a frantic late-game rally from Deshler.
Deshler held a narrow 29-27 lead at halftime, but Fairfield seized control in the third quarter. A remarkable scoring drought by Deshler that lasted over eight minutes allowed Fairfield to build a 47-34 lead. However, Deshler fought back, cutting the deficit to just two points, 59-57, with only eight seconds remaining. A critical backcourt violation by Deshler with 2.4 seconds left sealed their fate, and Fairfield converted a final free throw to secure the four-point win.
Key Players and Moments
Senior Milton Jones led Fairfield with 21 points on an efficient 10-of-13 shooting. Despite his team’s win, Fairfield coach Maurice Ford expressed a desire for a more balanced team effort in the upcoming championship. Eric Williams added 13 points for the Tigers, and Carlos Scroggins Jr. chipped in with 10.
For Deshler, Garrett Reid scored 21 points, including a crucial three-pointer in the final seconds. Jay Murner contributed 12 points, all from beyond the arc. Despite the loss, Deshler coach Brian Pounders praised his team’s character and resilience in battling back from a double-digit deficit.
Fairfield, a program with recent state titles in 2020 and 2024, now looks to add another championship banner under the leadership of legendary coach Maurice Ford.
FEATURED IMAGE:Fairfield 6-foot-6 senior Milton Jones (3) and Deshler forward Tyler Holmes (30) battle for rebounding position in the Class 4A semifinals at Legacy Arena. (AHSAA PHOTO | Cody Kanaday)
