Regional Champs! Ider Girls advance to Final Four of Class 2A State Championship!

By Marla Jones

JACKSONVILLE, Ala.— The Ider Lady Hornets defeated the Ranburne Bulldogs Tuesday 64-52 to advance to the Class 2A State Championships.

Ider jumped to the early lead, outscoring Ranburne 19-14 in the first.  With 7:49 minutes remaining in the first, Ranburne took the lead and held onto it for 00:31 seconds. Ider had their biggest lead of the game in the 2nd with a 12 point advantage. Ider went. into the half with a 39-30 lead over the Bulldogs.

Ider had the nine point advantage going into the fourth and closed out the regionals with a victory and a ticket to the Final Four in Birmingham.

Two juniors stepped up for the Ider Lady Hornets scoring in the double digits. Hannah Culpepper lead the team with 23 points. Morgan Flynn had a double-double for the night with 14 points and 10 rebounds.  Senior, Dani Townson had 13 points and 7 rebounds.

Three Ider Lady Hornets were selected for the 2016 AHSAA Class 2A Northeast Regional All-Tournament Team—  Morgan Flynn, Dani Townson and Hannah Culpepper.  Culpepper was also selected as the All-Tournament Team MVP.

Third year, Head Coach Mark McMahon reflected on the outcome of the game,  “This was not exactly like we thought it would go.” We had 4 turnovers and then the girls dug down and did what they had to do,” McMahon said “ Postseason is about winning and advancing.”  “We are a smaller team so we have to play faster and put the pressure on.” McMahon said.  When asked about his players and their work ethic,McMahon said, “These girls are Godly, hardworking young woman. In season and offseason, they work extremely hard.”

Ider will face  R.C. Hatch in the Semifinals Monday Feb. 29 at 6 p.m, at the Legacy Arena at BJCC in Birmingham.