Class 7A Girls Semifinals Roundup
Hoover 58, Central-Phenix City 42
Madison Adamson and Reniya Kelly scored 15 points each and Hoover’s pressure defense forced 24 turnovers as the defending Class 7A Bucs routed Central-Phenix City 58-42 Thursday morning in the girls Class 7A semifinals at the BJCC Legacy Arena.
Hoover (31-2) will meet crosstown rival Spain Park (31-4) for the championship at 4 p.m. Saturday in the 98th Alabama High School Athletic Association State Basketball Championships. The Jaguars advanced with a 48-35 victory against McGill-Toolen in the afternoon semifinal.
Adamson also had 12 rebounds and four assists. Kelly had
six rebounds and five steals. Rachel Hager had nine points, seven rebounds and two blocked shots.
Hoover broke the game open in the second half after leading only 25-24 at halftime.
The Bucs won despite shooting only 32.3 percent from the field (21-of-65) and only 47.4 percent from the free-throw line (9-of-19).
Hoover played without sophomore starter Aniya Hubbard, who tore her right ACL and meniscus in the regional final.
Eryn Johnson scored 12 points to lead Central (21-8).
Hoover will be shooting for its seventh girls’ state title.
Spain Park 48, McGill-Toolen Catholic 35
Senior Sarah Ashlee Barker scored 26 points and pulled down 10 rebounds to lead the Jaguars to a 48-35 victory against McGill-Toolen Catholic.
Barker made two 3-pointers and was 10-of-12 at the foul line, had two assists, three steals and three blocked shots. Avery Madison added 14 points with two 3-pointers and made 4-of-5 free throw attempts.
The Yellow Jackets (26-7) were led by Nya Valentine’s nine points.
Hoover and Spain Park have combined to win the past
three Class 7A state championships (Hoover in 2017 and 2019; Spain Park in 2018), and met in the 2017 title game with the Bucs prevailing 51-47 in overtime.
The teams split their two regular-season meetings this season, each winning at home, Hoover 56-23 and Spain Park 61-56.
“Hoover City Schools is playing in the state championship game,” Barker said. “What’s better than playing your rival in the state championship game? There’s nothing better.”
