Hulgan Shines as Plainview Dominates Jackson 62-30 to Reach 4A State Final

Bears Advance to Championship with Decisive Semifinal Victory

BIRMINGHAM, AL – The Plainview Lady Bears are heading to the Class 4A state championship game after a commanding 62-30 victory over Jackson in the state semifinals Tuesday night. Plainview asserted its dominance early and never looked back, securing a spot in the final for the second time in three years. The Bears (34-2) will now face No. 4 Good Hope for the title on Friday at 4 p.m.

From the opening tip, Plainview established a fast-paced tempo that overwhelmed Jackson. The Lady Bears jumped out to a massive 23-6 lead by the end of the first quarter. Their aggressive offense and stifling defense continued into the second quarter, building an insurmountable 45-16 advantage by halftime. With the game well in hand, coach Luke Griggs utilized his entire roster in the second half, giving his starters valuable rest.

The victory marks Plainview’s fourth trip to the AHSAA state semifinals in the last six seasons. The program is now one win away from capturing its first state championship, a coveted Blue Map trophy that has so far remained just out of reach.

Hulgan Leads Impressive Offensive Showcase

Senior Sawyer Kate Hulgan, the NFHS national record holder for career three-pointers, delivered another stellar performance. She led all scorers with 23 points, shooting an efficient 10-for-20 from the field. Hulgan accomplished this in just over 15 minutes of playing time, demonstrating her scoring prowess before sitting for much of the second half.

While the Lady Bears are known for their long-range shooting, they proved their versatility by attacking the basket. Despite an uncharacteristic 5-for-22 performance from beyond the arc, the team still shot over 40% from the field. Piper Anderson provided a significant spark, contributing 10 points to the offensive effort. Nine different players for Plainview made it into the scoring column, showcasing the team’s depth. Annalee Shrader also had a major impact, finishing with five points, five steals, and five rebounds.

“We like to play fast, we like to press and shoot a lot of 3s and all of that, and the girls’ effort was tremendous tonight,” said Plainview coach Luke Griggs. “We were rotating and X-ing out like we should.”

Defensive Pressure Fuels Plainview’s Run

Plainview’s victory was built on a foundation of relentless defensive pressure. The Lady Bears forced Jackson into 30 turnovers throughout the game, with 20 of those occurring in the first half alone. This suffocating defense led directly to offense, as Plainview converted those takeaways into 28 points.

The team’s intensity on defense was evident in the stat sheet. Plainview recorded 19 total steals, with Annalee Shrader and Jaxson Bruce leading the charge with four steals each in the first half. The Bears also dominated the boards, securing 12 offensive rebounds that resulted in 18 second-chance points. This combination of defensive disruption and offensive execution created a lead that Jackson could not overcome.

Jackson Fights Hard in Semifinal Appearance

Despite the lopsided score, the Jackson Aggies (21-9) fought hard until the final buzzer. The team, coached by DeAsia Lee-Ezell, made its first semifinal appearance in her two years as head coach, a significant achievement for the program. Angel Powell was a bright spot for Jackson, leading her team with 15 points and nine rebounds. She was active on both ends of the floor, also contributing four steals.

Madison Sims added nine points and four rebounds for the Aggies. Coach Lee-Ezell expressed pride in her team’s journey, noting that they were often underestimated throughout the season.

“The outcome didn’t turn out like we wanted it to, but we fought hard,” Lee-Ezell said. “I don’t think we were ever ranked this season, we were always underestimated, we flew under the radar and we kept low-key and kept at it throughout the season.” The trip to Birmingham was a special experience for the school, as both its boys and girls basketball teams reached the AHSAA state semifinals.

FEATURED IMAGE: Plainview senior Sawyer Kate Hulgan (13) is shown with a power move inside past two Jackson defenders. Hulgan, who set the NFHS national record for career 3-pointers earlier this season, finished with 23 points leading Plainview to the finals with a
62-30 win in the other 4A semifinals Tuesday at Legacy Arena. (AHSAA PHOTO | Cody Kanaday)