GIRLS CLASS 4A CENTRAL FINAL: PCA back in state semis after dismantling Bibb County
PCA’s Hannah Jones drives into the lane for two of her 31 points in the Panthers’ win in the 4A Central Regional final on Thursday. (Tim Gayle)
By TIM GAYLE
BIRMINGHAM -- Bibb County was actually one of the few 4A teams in the state that could stand toe to toe with Prattville Christian Academy’s post players, so PCA coach Jason Roberson decided the Panthers’ trapping defense would have to be the deciding factor in Thursday’s Central Regional final at Bill Harris Arena.
“We saw that we didn’t have a choice,” Roberson said. “We talked to the ladies and said, look, we can’t afford not to press. If it’s a half-court game, they have a lot of size that can offset our size. Defensively, they could do a decent job if it was a half-court game. And offensively for them, if they get in the half-court without a lot of pressure, it’ll be easier for them to get it inside. So we didn’t really have a choice.”
Bibb County would get a shot on its first possession, but the next eight led to six turnovers and the first 13 possessions of the second quarter resulted in 11 more turnovers. By that time, PCA led 32-7 and any game plan the Choctaws had was out the window in a 60-21 rout.
“We were game planning to do that and I think we really came in and focused on that and executed that really well,” PCA senior Hannah Jones said. “Honestly, the pressure gave more opportunities for us to get steals and be able to run the fastbreak.”
Prattville Christian (32-3), which has won seven straight games and 16 of its last 17, will play New Hope (23-5) in the 4A state semifinals on Tuesday in Legacy Arena at 6 p.m.
“The ladies’ program has been to the Final Four in 2A, 3A and now 4A,” Roberson said. “And that’s what we wanted to focus on. We have been the last two years, but this is our first time in 4A, so it’s kind of new as well. We’ve never won a 4A state championship, we’ve never been to the Final Four in 4A.”
After winning back-to-back championships in Class 3A, the PCA basketball program was elevated to 4A by Competitive Balance Factor, creating a new group of talent the Panthers will face in the state tournament next week.
“Coach ‘Rob’ mentioned the other day that the last two years we were the defending state champs in 3A so we kind of earned the respect in 3A,” PCA shooting guard Avery Rogers said. “But now being in 4A, we haven’t earned the respect of our 4A opponents, so we’re hoping to earn some respect next week in the state tournament.”
“Earning respect in 4A would be a really big deal for us,” Jones added. “Like Coach ‘Rob’ (says) and our saying this year is ‘anyone, anywhere’ this year.”
Thursday’s game was the 15th game this season for Prattville Christian against 4A competition. Thirteen of those games, including Thursday, involved a running clock that is used when opponents trail by 30 or more points in the fourth quarter. PCA won its 15 games against 4A competition by an average margin of 43.6 points.
Regional Most Valuable Player Hannah Jones had 31 points and 11 rebounds, including 10 of 13 free throws, along with a pair of blocked shots and five steals.
“She looked a little different today, didn’t she?” Roberson said. “She’s always really good, she averages 20 points and 10 rebounds a game for us this year, but she had a little fire today. She wasn’t going to let us go home.”
The Panthers’ season remains alive thanks to 28 steals that were part of 35 turnovers committed by the Choctaws. Reserve forward Jenna McClendon led the Panthers with six steals, while point guard Kayden Carr, Jones and guard Ally Blankinchip had five each.
Blankinchip, in fact, attempted (and made) only one shot but was included on the all-tournament team because of her tenacious defense.
“This girl pours her heart and soul into what she does,” Roberson said. “Defensively, she was awesome today. The thing is, some people are seeing it for the first time. I see it every day. But she might have stepped it up to another level today.”
Interestingly enough, Jones’ free throws were the only ones attempted by the Panthers on Thursday. CoCo Thomas added 10 points and eight rebounds, with most of the work coming on the defensive end by the guards and on the offensive end by the post players.
“The pressure makes it a lot easier for our players to get steals and easy layups on the other end,” Blankinchip said.
“I think we did a really good job,” Rogers said. “It created even more opportunities for us in the full court, getting out on the fastbreak and getting Hannah and CoCo open before their big players could get back on defense.”
McKenzie Terry led Bibb County (23-7) with six points.
Joining Jones on the all-tournament team were Blankinchip, Thomas and Rogers, along with Chartavia Corwell of Bibb County and Bella Reese of Dora.