Hazel Green Rolls Past Chelsea, Advances to 6A Girls State Final

BIRMINGHAM, AL — The Hazel Green High School girls’ basketball team is heading back to the state championship game. After a one-year absence from the finals, the Trojans secured their spot with a decisive 59-32 victory over Chelsea in the AHSAA Class 6A semifinals on Wednesday at the BJCC’s Legacy Arena.

Fueled by a season-long motto of a “Revenge tour,” Hazel Green demonstrated relentless energy from the opening minutes. The win marks the Trojans’ return to the championship stage, a familiar place for a program that has now reached the finals in nine of the last ten seasons.

A Game of Defensive Dominance

The game started as a low-scoring affair, with both teams struggling to find their offensive rhythm. While Chelsea found some early success from three-point range, Hazel Green established control inside the paint. The Trojans’ defensive strategy, however, quickly became the story of the game.

First-year head coach Demetrius Miller, who was promoted from an assistant role after last season, implemented a full-court press that stifled the Chelsea offense. The aggressive defense created significant problems for the Hornets, disrupting their passing lanes and leading to numerous turnovers. By halftime, Chelsea had committed 13 turnovers, which Hazel Green converted into 15 crucial points.

“‘Revenge tour’ has been our motto all season,” Miller said. “In the playoffs, we’ve embraced ‘All gas, no brakes.’” That philosophy was on full display as the Trojans’ defense never let up, forcing a total of 20 turnovers by the end of the game and holding Chelsea to just 32 points.

Standout Performances Propel Trojans

While the defense set the tone, several players delivered key offensive performances to put the game out of reach. Kristen Johnson led all scorers with 17 points, adding six rebounds to her impressive stat line. Madison Eddings was a force on both ends of the court, contributing 15 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. Sloan Williams also reached double figures, tallying 11 points and three assists.

The Trojans’ balanced attack and superior play in the paint were too much for Chelsea to handle. After a tight first quarter, Hazel Green began to pull away, extending its lead to 18 points by the start of the final period. The team continued to build on its lead, reaching a 27-point advantage in the game’s final moments.

A Return to the Championship Stage

Last year’s semifinal loss was a rare setback for the Hazel Green dynasty, ending an AHSAA-record seven-consecutive state championship run from 2018 to 2024. That defeat ignited a fire in the team.

“They’ve worked so hard since last spring,” Miller noted, reflecting on his team’s journey. The transition from legendary coach Tim Miller to Demetrius Miller has been seamless, built on a foundation of experience and high expectations. “I learned from one of the best. Tim Miller is a legend,” Demetrius Miller stated.

For Chelsea, the loss ends another strong season that saw them make a second straight appearance in the state semifinals. Juliann Bass led the Hornets with 16 points, and senior Caroline Brown added seven points and three assists.

With the semifinal victory, Hazel Green (30-2) moves on to the Class 6A championship game. The team’s focus is clear. As Coach Miller said, “Every year is special. This year has been nothing short of amazing, (but) the job is not done yet.” The Trojans will play for the title on Saturday.

FEATURED IMAGE: Calera’s Juliann Bass (2) drives toward the basket with Hazel Green’s DaNila Butterfield (14) defending for the Trogans. (AHSAA PHOTO  David Holtsford)