By Cinthia Rico JACKSONVILLE – Regional play wrapped up last week at Jacksonville State University’s Pete Mathews Coliseum, and three DeKalb County teams punched their tickets to Birmingham.
Ider 72, Pisgah 48
In Class 2A, the Ider (21-11) girls will be Birmingham-bound for the final four this week. The Lady Hornets defeated Pisgah (21-11) 72-48 to claim the regional title and advance in the Class 2A tournament.
Tournament MVP Kennzie Smith led Ider with a staggering game-high 27 points. Returning to action after an injury early in the season, Makinley Traylor netted 26 points, Aubree Chapman and Addisyn Heard added 6 points apiece, and KK Wilborn finished with 3, while Cambree Chapman, and Paisley Chapman both chipped in 2 for the Hornets.
“We had our fingers crossed that Makinley would get back about this time, and I know it’s helped the other girls because they had to step up and carry the load a lot during the season, said head coach Jamie Pruet.
“The girls have hung in there and kept battling all year long. I can’t be prouder of them. Right now we’re playing the best ball we have all year, and that’s when you want to be playing your best.”
With a strong opening from both sides of the court, Ider managed to edge Pisgah 17-14 after the first period before taking charge in the second.
Smith’s efforts extended Ider’s lead to double digits, en route to a 35-25 advantage at the break. The Hornets’ defense held off Pisgah’s surge while adding 19 more points in the third, eventually putting the game away in the final frame with a 72-48 victory.
On Monday evening, Ider overshadowed Luverne 69-32 in the Class 2A Girls State Semifinals. This was Ider’s first state tournament appearance since the 2015–16 campaign.
The Hornets take on Mars Hill Bible on Friday, Mar.1 for the Class 2A State title at 9 p.m. at the Legacy Arena of the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex.
Plainview 63, Susan Moore 55
The Plainview girls defeated Susan Moore 63-55 to capture the Class 3A Northeast Regional Title and advance to the final four in Birmingham this week.
Regional MVP Kami Sanders led the Lady Bears in double-digit scoring with a game-high 23 points. Lauren Jimmerson added 15 points, and Sawyer Kate Hulgan netted 15, Gracie Rowell finished with 7, and Miley Dukes chipped in 2 for Plainview.
“We are super excited,” said Plainview head coach Luke Griggs. “It was a great game—we challenged the girls at halftime to go in and take charge.”
Off to a strong start, the Bears secured a 19-13 opening-period advantage. Keeping up their momentum in the second with 17 additional points en route to a 36-28 halftime cushion.
Despite a second-half rally in the third, Plainview’s defense surged in the fourth, netting 19 points as its defense worked to keep Susan Moore in check. The Bears ultimately secured a 63-55 triumph.
“The girls have worked their tails all year long,” Griggs said. “It’s not always about winning, it’s about having the will to prepare to win, and these girls got it.”
Plainview (30-5) took on Cottage Hill in the Class 3A Girls State Semifinals on Tuesday at 12 p.m. at the Legacy Arena of the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex.
Geraldine 53, Plainview 49
The Geraldine Boys defeated rival Plainview 53-49 in overtime, advancing to the final four for the first time since the 2002 season.
Jaxon Colvin led the Bulldogs with a team-high 14 points and 11 rebounds; Carlos Mann finished with a season-high 13 points; and Connor Johnson added 12 and had 7 rebounds. Redick Smith had 8 points and 9 rebounds, Lucas Bryant tallied 5 and had 6 rebounds, and Jayse Cook chipped in one for Geraldine.
“I think we’ve played them about 15 times in the last three years, and that’s a season’s worth of games against the same opponent,” said Geraldine head coach Jeremy Smith. “We knew it was going to come down to the ‘Jimmies and Joes,’ and luckily, we made enough plays to pull it out.”
The sixth season meeting between the rivals from Area 14 was the first in series history to take place in the Elite Eight.
Tying at 15 in the opening period and at 25 at the half, the Bulldogs entered the second half with some momentum, scoring 10 points to Plainview’s 8 in the third.
Geraldine continued a consistent offensive approach through the fourth as the Bears rallied, adding 12 points to tie the game at 45.
With 9.2 seconds remaining in OT, Owen Wilborn reached the foul line, and he made two free throws to cut the lead to 52-49. Colvin then shut out Griggs’ 3-point shot to seal Geraldines’ win.
“We felt like we left something down here last year, and we told them at halftime, you’ve got to go get it,” Smith said. “I am very grateful we were able to get the opportunity we got today. I wouldn’t want to do it with any other guys or any other coaches.”
Plainview’s head coach, Cale Black, commanded his team for their efforts as the Bears closed out the season with a 26-8 overall record.
Owen Wilborn paced Plainview with a game-high 18 points, Ty Griggs finished with 14, Landon White tallied 18 points and 9 rebounds, Grant Nickelson had 3, and Sawyer Wilborn chipped in 2 for the Bears.
“They showed a lot of fight and a lot of grit,” he said. “I thought in overtime we might be able to carry some momentum and go through there, but give Geraldine credit. They battled and were able to come out on top.”
Geraldine (24-7) took on Hillcrest-Evergreen in the Class 3A Boys State Semifinals on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. at the Legacy Arena of the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex.
Editor’s Note: The Class 2A and 3A Finals were not completed before press time; look for coverage in an upcoming edition of Mountain Valley News.
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