Ashford Academy, Lakeside advance to state finals

MONTGOMERY – It took a few extra minutes, but it was worth it for Ashford Academy and Lakeside School Tuesday.

Both programs won overtime semifinal contests at Huntingdon College to earn a spot in an AISA state championship game.

Ashford Academy, behind Jenna Epperson’s layup with 2.7 seconds in overtime and Caroline McClenney’s steal on the ensuing possession, earned a 60-58 win over Chambers Academy in a Class A state semifinal game.

Lakeside, the defending AA state champion, shocked top-ranked and previously-undefeated Autauga Academy 56-54 in overtime to advance to the AA finals.

The news wasn’t as good for the Wiregrass’ third team at Huntingdon Tuesday. Abbeville Christian, bidding to reach the Class A finals, lost to region rival Crenshaw Christian 41-35, preventing an all-Wiregrass final and a potential seventh meeting between Ashford Academy and ACA.

Instead, Ashford Academy (16-11) and Crenshaw Christian (20-9) will meet in the championship Thursday at 6 p.m., also at Huntingdon. The Lady Falcons seek their first state title in girls basketball.

Lakeside (28-5) will play Evangel Christian (20-10) today at noon for the AA title. It will be the Lady Chiefs’ fifth straight championship appearance. They won titles in 2009 and 2011 and were runner-ups in 2008 and 2010.

Ashford Academy 60, Chambers Academy 58 (OT): The Falcons forced overtime late in regulation as Olivia Adams earned a steal, leading to an Epperson basket that tied the game at 53.

The Falcons then won it behind Epperson, who had six of the Lady Falcons’ seven points in overtime, including the game-winning layup that broke a 58 tie. McClenney’s steal, in fullcourt pressure, sealed the win.

Epperson had 25 points and 21 rebounds and Hannah Galle 13 points and nine rebounds to lead the Lady Falcons.

But the two weren’t alone in sparking Ashford Academy. McClenney had seven points and the key steal late. Adams had seven points and eight assists and Jenna Barnes had 10 rebounds.

Epperson scored 13 points in the first half to stake Ashford Academy to a 34-24 halftime lead, but Chambers outscored the Falcons 16-5 in the third quarter behind five baskets by Deven Still to get back into it.

Leslie Hinkle led Chambers (16-4) with 17 points, followed by Still with 14 and Heather Blackburn with 11.
Thursday’s championship game between Ashford Academy and Crenshaw Christian, Class A, Region 1 rivals, will be the third between the two this year. The Lady Falcons won both previous games, but barely, winning 65-62 and 57-50 in overtime.

Crenshaw is making its second straight finals appearance. The Lady Cougars fell in the finals last year to Coosa Valley Academy.

Lakeside 56, Autauga Academy 54: Lexie Gibson set the tone in overtime with a 3-pointer and the Lady Chiefs built a five-point lead then held on to upset the top-ranked Lady Generals behind clutch free-throw shooting.

The game was tied at 48 all after regulation, but Gibson quickly put the Lady Chiefs in front in the OT with her trey. From there, Lakeside hit five free throws, two by Kasey Grant and Jasonie Guice and one by Gibson.

Emily Brock hit two 3-pointers, including one in the final seconds, for Autauga.

Guice, only an eighth grader, scored a game-high 26 points, including 9-of-12 on free throws. Grant delivered a double-double of 14 points and 13 rebounds and Gibson had 10 points, four coming in the overtime.

Brock paced Autauga Academy (31-1) with 20 points.

Today’s championship game will mark the fourth meeting this year between Lakeside and Evangel Christian, AA, Region 1 foes. Lakeside won both regular season games, 71-47 in early December and 52-43 late in the season, but Evangel won a region tournament game two weeks ago, 57-56.

Crenshaw Christian 41, Abbeville Christian 35: For the third straight year, Abbeville Christian fell in the state semifinals. For the second straight year, Crenshaw and star player Quilla Robinson were the villains.

Crenshaw led 10-0 early and 22-12 at halftime with Robinson scoring 14 of her game-high 22 points.

ACA battled back, eventually tying the game at 35 with 1:50 to go. However, turnovers doomed the Lady Generals and Crenshaw scored the game’s final six points.

Haylee Kirkland led Abbeville Christian with 18 points, including 10 in the second half. Allissa Fleming led in rebounding with 10.

ACA finished the year 20-13, its fourth straight 20-win season.