Wenonah Dominates LeFlore, Secures Class 5A Championship Rematch

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Wenonah High School is heading to the state championship after an overwhelming performance against LeFlore. The Dragons showcased a masterful fastbreak offense to secure a 79-60 victory in the Class 5A state semifinal game on Wednesday night at the BJCC’s Legacy Arena.

This decisive win punches Wenonah’s ticket to a highly anticipated championship showdown against Sylacauga. The game is a rematch of last year’s semifinal, where Sylacauga handed the Dragons a heartbreaking 69-68 loss. Now, Wenonah has earned the opportunity for redemption on the state’s biggest stage.

A Display of Speed and Power

Wenonah established its game plan from the opening tip, pushing the pace at every opportunity. The Dragons’ relentless attack resulted in an incredible 41 fastbreak points, a key factor that LeFlore struggled to counter all evening. The strategy proved highly effective, allowing Wenonah to control the tempo and build an insurmountable lead.

After trading leads early in the first quarter, Wenonah unleashed a 9-0 run to take control, ending the period with a 17-14 advantage. The second quarter saw the Dragons amplify their pressure. A pivotal 13-1 run blew the game open, and Wenonah entered halftime with a comfortable 36-22 lead.

The second half was a continuation of Wenonah’s dominance. The lead swelled to as many as 31 points in the third quarter, and the Dragons entered the final period with a 63-34 cushion. The performance was a testament to their fast-paced style of play.

“That’s the way we play,” Wenonah coach Cedric Lane stated. “We prefer to play fast. When we do that, we are usually in good shape.”

Dragon Standouts Lead the Charge

A trio of Wenonah players delivered outstanding performances to power their team to victory. Santez Pendleton, Brendon Davis, and Demazzia Taylor combined for 67 of the team’s 79 points, consistently capitalizing on fastbreak opportunities.

Pendleton was a force on both ends of the court, finishing with a game-high 25 points on efficient 8-of-11 shooting. He also pulled down 13 rebounds and dished out 5 assists, showcasing his all-around skill set.

Brendon Davis recorded a powerful double-double with 23 points and 13 rebounds. Demazzia Taylor added another 19 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists to round out the dominant offensive effort. Their ability to share the ball in transition was a defining element of the win.

“Our motto is everyone eats,” Coach Lane explained. “We do a good job of sharing the ball in transition, and that’s what we did today.”

By the Numbers: A Statistical Breakdown

The final stats paint a clear picture of Wenonah’s control over the game. The Dragons shot an impressive 59.6% from the field, making 31 of their 52 attempts. Their control was also evident in the paint, where they outscored LeFlore 48-24.

Wenonah also won the rebounding battle decisively, pulling down 51 boards compared to LeFlore’s 33. This dominance on the glass limited second-chance opportunities for the Rattlers and fueled Wenonah’s fastbreak attack.

For LeFlore, Brayln Taylor led the effort with 23 points, including six three-pointers. Rylon Austin contributed 16 points and seven rebounds, while Rashod Miles scored 12. Despite their efforts, the Rattlers struggled with shooting, converting on just 29.9% of their shots from the field.

“I can’t tell you what went wrong, but I know their fastbreak hurt us,” said LeFlore coach Johnny Mayhane.

LeFlore’s Brayln Taylor added, “It seemed like they wanted it more than us. We didn’t play the way our coaches taught us to play.”

A Rematch One Year in the Making

With the semifinal victory, Wenonah (26-5) sets its sights on the Class 5A championship game and a chance to claim its seventh state title. Standing in their way is Sylacauga (30-2), the very team that ended their season a year ago.

The Dragons have not forgotten that one-point loss and have been eager for this rematch all season.

“Our guys have been very, very hungry to see them again,” Coach Lane said. “We knew the only way we would see them again would be in the final. I’m hoping we don’t need any motivation.”

The feeling is shared by the players, who are ready to seize the opportunity. “It feels good to get back and to know who we are playing,” said senior Brendon Davis. “We are ready to play. We’ve wanted to play them the whole year.”

The championship game is scheduled for Saturday at 10:45 a.m., where Wenonah will look to complete its mission and bring home the state title.

FEATURED IMAGE: Wenonah’s Jalen Holston (2) claws his way past LeFlore defenders London Powell (21) and Justin Lawrence (0) as the Dragons advanced to the Class 5A state basketball championship game Saturday with the 79-60 win. (AHSAA PHOTO | Cody Kanaday)