Mobile Christian Beats Glencoe 55-42, Advances to AHSAA Class 3A Girls State Title Game

Leopards Secure Spot in State Championship with Strong Defense

BIRMINGHAM – The Mobile Christian Lady Leopards are headed to the state championship. They secured their spot with a decisive 55-42 victory over the Glencoe Yellow Jackets in the Class 3A girls’ state semifinal at Legacy Arena. The win sets up a much-anticipated final matchup and marks a significant achievement for the program.

Mobile Christian’s defense was the story of the game. The Leopards executed their game plan with precision, holding Glencoe to just 25% shooting from the field. Their relentless pressure forced 14 turnovers, disrupting Glencoe’s offense and creating crucial scoring opportunities on the other end of the court.

The team, led by Coach Kenny Wright, is now just one win away from an AHSAA state championship title, a remarkable position for the small 3A school.

Hadley Kelly Dominates with All-Around Performance

Junior center Hadley Kelly delivered another commanding performance, continuing a dominant tournament run. Fresh off setting an AHSAA single-game record with 23 blocks in the regional final, Kelly was a force on both offense and defense against Glencoe. She finished the game with an impressive stat line: 19 points, 18 rebounds, and six blocked shots. Her presence in the paint was a key factor in holding the Yellow Jackets’ offense in check.

Kelly’s coach, Kenny Wright, has seen her potential from the beginning. “When I first got to Mobile Christian, I went to the gym and I saw this eighth grader streaking down the court with a lot of ability,” Wright recalled. “That was Hadley. Since then, she has really put in the work to keep improving her game, and it is paying off.”

The Leopards also received key contributions from other players. Trinity Jenkins-Gaines added 13 points and pulled down seven rebounds, while Kai Wright chipped in with 10 points and six steals. Wright made a critical impact late in the game, scoring on back-to-back layups to halt a Glencoe run and help Mobile Christian maintain control.

For Glencoe (22-9), coached by Blake Badgett, Kinlee Montgomery led the scoring effort with 17 points. She also contributed six rebounds and three assists while going a perfect 4-for-4 from the free-throw line. Payton Gray added eight points for the Yellow Jackets.

Coach Wright Praises Leopards’ Execution

Following the victory, Coach Kenny Wright praised his team’s focus and effort. “The girls were tremendous,” he said. “They followed the game plan. They executed the scouting report to a tee.”

He acknowledged a tough stretch in the second half but was proud of how his team responded. “We had a little drought in the third quarter, the beginning of the fourth — I think we were running out of gas a little bit. But our girls just kept the same mentality that we’ve been doing all year. Next play, being selfless, and we’re just super excited.”

The victory is a testament to the team’s resilience and hard work. “We’re in the state championship. Who can ever imagine that? A small 3A Mobile Christian school can be where we are right now,” Wright added. “We’re just still blessed and happy about this opportunity. We got one more to go. Go Leopards.”

What’s Next for Mobile Christian

The Lady Leopards will now prepare for the biggest game of their season. They are set to face the top-ranked Saint James Trojans in the Class 3A state championship game. The final will take place on Friday at 12:15 p.m. in Birmingham, where Mobile Christian will look to complete their incredible run and bring home the state title.

FEATURED IMAGE: David Holtsford | AHSAA Photo