GIRLS SOUTH 7A FINAL: Prattville gets it done to earn long-awaited return to Birmingham
Prattville’s Mcayla Hines dribbles past defenders in the Lady Lions’ win over Enterprise in the Class 7A South Regional final at Garrett Coliseum on Tuesday. (Graham Dunn)
By GRAHAM DUNN
It’s been 24 years since the Prattville Lady Lions have made a trip to the AHSAA State Tournament.
That streak was officially broken on Tuesday.
The Lions defeated Enterprise for a third time this season, earning a 44-36 victory in the Class 7A South Regional final played at Garrett Coliseum.
Prattville will travel to Birmingham’s Legacy Arena next Thursday to face Hoover in the state semifinals.
“This was about the team,” stated tournament MVP Keleigh Mullens. “We’ve worked hard to get here.”
Prattville coach Erica DuBois was a member of that last team to reach the state semis back in 1998. The memories for her are still fresh.
“Time to make new ones,” she said when reminded when she was part of the Lions’ team that season.
Mullens, a freshman, led the Lions with 12 points and was one of three players to score in double figures. She added five steals and five assists.
“I don’t think she really understands (how big a win this was),”DuBois said of her young point guard. “But that might work in her favor. They know about playing the next game and they will figure out what we need for the next one. That’s all we are about. This is our destiny.”
The Lions built an early 11-0 lead, thanks to seven Enterprise turnovers on its first seven possessions and the Wildcats suffered 12 straight to start the game. Prattville maintained a nine-point lead for most of the first half and led 25-16 at the break, using a stifling defense and clutch shooting in the final quarter.
Enterprise pulled within six points and had the ball with a chance to cut into the lead with just over four minutes remaining. But a bucket by Eliza Downey gave the Lions a six -point lead and that was followed by a steal by Mullens which all but sealed the win.
Prattville (24-4) shot 36 percent from field and made just one 3-pointer. But the defense held Enterprise to 31 percent shooting on 10 of 32 attempts.
Keziah Seay finished with 11 points, nine rebounds and four steals. For the two games at Garrett Coliseum, she finished with 20 points and 19 rebounds. She along with Gracie Downs joined Mullens on the all-tournament team.
Macayla Hines added 10 points for the Lions. Alexis Reed led Enterprise (19-13) with 12 points.
The Lions will face the defending champions in the state semifinals. Hoover defeated James Clemons in the Northwest Regional on Tuesday.