PREP UPDATE: Park Crossing ends Hazel Green's title run with two-OT victory; Marbury falls in 5A; Prattville wins in FCA
Saniya Jackson goes up for the layup in Park Crossing’s double-overtime win over Hazel Green on Wednesday at the Legacy Arena. (AHSAA/David Holtsford)
BIRMINGHAM - Saniya Jackson converted two free throws with 2.9 seconds left in double overtime to lift Park Crossing to a 56-54 win over defending state champion Hazel Green in the Class 6A girls semifinals at the Legacy Arena on Wednesday.
The win ended a seven-year run of state championships for Hazel Green and former Jeff Davis coach Tim Miller.
The game went to overtime on Tyler Stangline’s 3-pointer as time expired in regulation, which tied the game at 45-45.
Jackson finished with 30 points including a couple of key free throws late in the game. As a team, Park Crossing shot just 24 percent on 18 of 74 attempts. But the T-Birds made 7-of-8 free throws in the overtime periods.
“I stepped up and knew I was going to make both free throws to win the game,” said Jackson, “I knew my team needed me. Whatever they needed, I was going to do that to get them to the championship.”
The teams played to a 45-45 tie after the first overtime, thanks to Hazel Green missing four free throws in the final minute. The Trojans (27-9) scored the first four points of the second overtime, but Jackson then took over.
“Both teams had chances over and over and over,” Miller said. “I thought we had a really good chance to win it at the end of regulation. They made a three in the corner and sent it to overtime. … I hurt for our girls, but I’m proud of them.”
On Saturday, Park Crossing will attempt to earn its first state title in basketball. The T-Birds will face Chelsea, who defeated Mountain Brook in the other semifinal game.
Tipoff is slated for 12:30 p.m.
Marbury falls in 5A semis
BIRMINGHAM – Camilyah Rowe scored 23 points to lead four Ramsay players in double figures in a 65-53 victory over Marbury in the 105th AHSAA State Basketball Championships Class 5A girls’ state semifinals. Nayla Wesley finished with 10 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and six steals to record a rare triple-double, and Kayden May added 16 points at the BJCC’s Legacy Arena Wednesday night. McKenzie Davis had 12 points, four rebounds and three assists.
“Ramsay is a very athletic team,” Marbury coach Reginald Brown said.
Gabrielle Brown led Marbury (20-7) with 23 points while Justice Blackmon added 12 points. Ramsay (29-7) advances to Saturday’s championship game against Scottsboro, which defeated Vigor in Wednesday’s other semifinal.
FCA Tourney: Marbury shuts out Tallasse
Jacob Driver and Seth Turner combined for a two-hit shut out to lead the Bulldogs to a win over Tallassee in the FCA Jason Armstrong Memorial Baseball Tournament at Riverwalk Stadium on Wednesday.
Turner also added a run-scoring single plus a double in the win.
Jack Butler was the tough-luck loser, giving up a run in five and one-third innings. He struck out five.
Prattville 12, Chilton County 2 (5 innings)
Dorsett Jackson led the way with a double and two runs driven in in the Lions’ win Wednesday at Riverwalk Stadium.
Mason Piper added a run-scoring single to lead Prattville. Andrew Kincaid was the winning pitcher.