BEAR TRILOGY - Southern Torch

Story By Heath Hambrick

The varsity girls championship game of the 2026 DeKalb County Tournament featured part three of a trilogy between two of the best teams in Alabama, the 4A No. 1 Plainview Lady Bears and the 1A No. 1 Ider Lady Hornets.

This was the third straight year that the two teams had faced each other in the DCT final. Plainview defeated Ider in 2024. Ider had won the previous season, but on Friday night, the Lady Bears delivered a knockout punch, reminiscent of Muhammad Ali's third match against Joe Frazier and Clemson's victory over Alabama in their third National Championship game. Plainview secured the win with a convincing score of 78-46.

“I thought our girls came in with alittle chip on their shoulder after last year's county final. Ider is a really, really good team led by Makinley Traylor, who is one of the best players in the state,” said Plainview Head Coach Luke Griggs.

In the first quarter, each team traded baskets early. Ider took the at five-point lead 18-13, with less than two minutes to go in the first quarter. Then Plainview’s Piper Anderson hit a three-point basket, and Jaxon Bruce hit two free throws to tie the game at 18-18 heading to the second quarter.

To open the second quarter, Anderson made a layup, and Bruce drained a three from the counter to give the Lady Bears a 23-18 lead.

Ider’s Kennzie Smith ended the 10-0 run with a layup, and Makinley Traylor made a bucket to cut the lead to one, 23-22. Smith made two more baskets and Ider took the lead 27-26 with just under five minutes to go in the first half.

Then the turning point of the game arrived. The Plainview defense forced key Ider mistakes that led to five straight threes from Miley Dukes, Sawyer Kate Hulgan, Lily Currie, and Bruce. Plainview finished the half on a 15-0 run to take a 41-27 halftime lead.

Dukes kick-started the Bears by hitting three of her five threes in the second quarter.

“Miley stepped up big tonight and shot the ball really well. Anytime she can get a shot off, we want her to shoot it,” said Griggs.

In the second half, Plainview continued to extend its lead as Ider was unable to find an answer against the Plainview defense and the Lady Bears' hot shooting. Plainview led at the end of the third quarter, 60-38, and 78-46 at the end of the fourth.

“Winning the county tournament is a big deal for us. We take great pride in this tournament. It means a lot to me personally, being from Collinsville, we won a lot of titles when I played for coach Thrash. And of course, my family, my grandfather has his name on the boys' trophy, so it’s always a big deal to win the county,” said Griggs.

Jaxon Bruce led Plainview with 18 points, Miley Dukes had 17 points, Sawyer Kate Hulgan, and Piper Anderson each added 15 for the Bears.

Kennzie Smith led Ider with 20 points, and Makinley Traylor had 17 points.

Plainview improves to 25-2 while Ider falls to 19-7 on the season.

All Tournament Team