Southside-Selma Stuns Whitesburg Christian with 16-Point Comeback in AHSAA Class 3A Semifinal
BIRMINGHAM, AL – In a stunning display of resilience, the Southside-Selma Panthers overturned a 16-point deficit to defeat Whitesburg Christian 62-60 in a thrilling AHSAA Final Four Class 3A boys semifinal. The victory, secured in the final moments at the BJCC Legacy Arena, and punches their ticket to the state championship game.
The Panthers (22-6) will now face the defending 3A champion, Montgomery Academy (27-7), for the state title. This marks Southside-Selma’s first championship game appearance since 2013, as they chase their first state crown since winning the 5A title in 1985.
A Tale of Two Halves
The game began with Whitesburg Christian asserting complete control. The Warriors stormed out to a 24-13 lead by the end of the first quarter, fueled by a barrage of five three-pointers. Their dominance continued into the second quarter, and they entered halftime with a comfortable 31-21 advantage. At one point, their lead swelled to a formidable 16 points, leaving the Panthers with a significant challenge ahead.
“We came into the locker room, and we were like, ‘this is not where we want to peak at every year,’” said Southside junior forward Michael Hosea. “We wanted to fight to get to the state championship and bring it home.” That determination sparked a dramatic second-half turnaround.
The Panther Surge
Southside-Selma coach Andre Johnson often tells his team, “big-time players make big-time plays,” and his squad embodied that mantra in the second half. The comeback began with a crucial defensive adjustment. According to Whitesburg Christian coach Patrick Harding, the Panthers’ switch from a zone to a man-to-man defense disrupted his team’s offensive rhythm.
The Panthers also found their shooting stroke, a key factor considering they averaged only about three 3-pointers per game on tape. Against Whitesburg, they were remarkably efficient, sinking 11-of-19 shots from beyond the arc.
The team started chipping away at the lead in the third quarter. A layup from Hosea and a three-pointer by senior forward Kendorian Towns helped close the gap to just 43-40 by the end of the period. The stage was set for a dramatic final quarter that featured seven lead changes.
Towns Ignites Southside Offense
Senior forward ArMari Towns, a Purdue football commit, was the catalyst for the incredible comeback. After scoring just a single point in the first half, the 6-foot-6 senior exploded in the second, finishing with 19 points and six rebounds. He was nearly perfect from deep, making 4-of-5 three-point attempts.
A crucial three-pointer from Towns tied the game at 52-52 with just over three minutes remaining. He struck again with 1:17 left to play, sinking another three that gave the Panthers a 55-54 lead. His heroics were not limited to offense; with just two seconds on the clock, Towns made a game-saving defensive play, deflecting a potential game-tying rebound away from a Whitesburg player as the final buzzer sounded.
“That was a big, big play,” said Coach Johnson. “Big-time players make big plays.”
Key Performances and Stats
While Towns provided the second-half firepower, it was a total team effort. Junior guard Caeden Moody delivered a crucial performance, scoring 14 points, including four three-pointers. His layup and three-pointer early in the fourth quarter gave Southside its first lead since the game’s opening minutes. Michael Hosea was also instrumental, contributing 13 points and six rebounds, while senior Derrick Surles Jr. added nine points and four assists.
The Panthers’ ball control was another decisive factor. They committed only five turnovers for the entire game while forcing 13 on Whitesburg Christian.
For the Warriors, Tripp Mason had an outstanding game, leading all scorers with 26 points, including six three-pointers. Kaden Ragland-Morris posted a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds, and Reid Winton also recorded a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds.
Title Game Showdown Against Montgomery Academy
Southside-Selma’s improbable victory sets up a highly anticipated Class 3A state championship showdown. They will take on Montgomery Academy on Friday at 2:15 p.m. at the Legacy Arena. Having overcome a significant deficit in the semifinals, the Panthers carry immense momentum and belief into their quest for the program’s second-ever state title.
FEATURED IMAGE: Whitesburg Christian’s Reid Winton and Southside-Selma’s Armari Towns battle for position in the 3A seminals
(AHSAA PHOTO | David Holtsford)
