6A SW GIRLS SEMIS: Park Crossing moves closer to longstanding goal; Carver tops Hueytown
Park Crossing advanced to the 6A Southwest Regional finals with a win over Hillcrest Tuscaloosa on Thursday. (Staff Photo)
By GRAHAM DUNN
Park Crossing’s 76-40 win over Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa on Thursday was a beginning and an end for the Lady Bird seniors.
The win in the Class 6A, Southwest Regional at the Cramton Bowl Multiplex, put them a step closer to a trip to Birmingham.
More importantly, it brought them closer to a goal set four years ago when they began the quest to win a state title.
“We are almost there,” stated PCHS coach Freeah Smith. “From being a freshman and being thrown out there to learn and now coming this close, this group has come a long way.”
Two seniors, Lexi Andrews and Kelsie Thomas, proved that point with a combined 49 points to lead PCHS to the win. Andrews had 33 points, including 22 in the first half while Thomas added 16 points and 11 rebounds.
“(It’s) the first time to be this far for the school,” Andrews said. “When I came in as a freshman, I was shy and didn’t always play hard. But now, on the big stage, I feel more comfortable.
“Today was about being aggressive. Back then, I was looking to pass. Now, I’m looking to make shots.”
Andrews led the Lady Birds out of the gate, hitting 4-of-8 attempts behind the 3-point arc in the first half. She finished 5 of 10 from 3-land and also hit 12 of 13 free throw attempts.
Thomas was 7 of 11 from the field and had three steals and a blocked shot.
“I am proud of their execution,” Smith said. “They found the open man, made good passes and didn’t force too many shots.”
Park Crossing will have a rematch against G.W. Carver, who defeated Hueytown on Thursday. The Lady Birds have won all three meetings this season including the area championship game last week.
G.W. Carver 43, Hueytown 35
The Lady Wolverines overcame a slow start and pulled away in the middle quarters to earn a trip to the Class 6A Southwest Regional final at the Cramton Bowl Multiplex.
Carver scored just six points in the first period hitting just 15 percent from the field but the Wolverines picked up the pace in the second period, taking a 20-18 lead at the break.
They held Hueytown to just four points including one field goal in the third quarter to extend the lead to six through three quarters.
Hueytown got to within a bucket with just under three minutes remaining but Carver allowed only one more field goal in the remaining minutes of the game.
Takya Norman led Carver (15-7) with 16 points while Erin Perry had 12 point and 10 rebounds. Ghanaye Whitfield-Moss led Hueytown (21-9) with 14 points.
Carver and Park Crossing will meet Monday at 9 a.m. at the Multiplex for the region championship and a trip to the State Finals in Birmingham.