Submitted by Josh Bean, AHSAA Reporter

BIRMINGHAM – Sylvania High School’s girls’ basketball team will play for the school’s first girls basketball state championship. The Rams (27-8) turned a smothering defensive effort into a 55-33 victory over T.R. Miller in Monday’s AHSAA Class 3A Girls’ State Semifinals at Bill Harris Arena at the Birmingham CrossPlex.

Sylvania, coached by Kyle Finch, trailed 12-11 late in the opening quarter, but held the Tigers to three points in the second quarter and six points in the third. The Rams built a 10-point halftime advantage and led by as many as 23 in the second half.

Kenadie Lee led Sylvania with 18 points, nine rebounds, two steals and two blocked shots. Anna Farmer added 12 points and eight rebounds.

For T.R. Miller (15-3), coached by Ron Jackson, the team’s lone senior Vanessa Samuel led the way with 16 points, six rebounds and six assists. Jayden Mitchell added 10 points. The Tigers made just 2-of-22 from 3-point range and shot 25.5 percent overall (13-for-51). T.R. Miller fell one win shy of a second straight title-game appearance, having lost to Pisgah in the 2020 3A championship game.

Sylvania advances to play Prattville Christian (27-6) in the 3A championship game on Friday at 9 a.m., at Bill Harris Arena. Prattville Christian defeated Susan Moore in today’s other semifinal.