Story By Druw Giamalva
The Class 7A, No. 2 Albertville Lady Aggies (28-4) basketball team is headed back to the Northeast Regional Final in a rematch against the defending 7A State Champion and No. 1 Hoover Lady Buccaneers (32-1). The Aggies made it to the Regional final by defeating the Vestavia Hills Lady Rebels 54-35 in their first round regional game on Monday morning.
“I am so proud of this team,” said Albertville head coach Natasha Smallwood. “They never quit and they faced some adversity, things didn’t go our way in that game for a part of the time, but they never quit. That is the thing that I am most proud of; they always play four quarters strong and never stop believing.”
The Lady Aggies will seek revenge on the Buccaneers after taking an 84-72 loss to Hoover in the Northeast Regional Final last season.
“It is a lot to take in,” said Albertville senior Lani Smallwood. “I just want to make sure I know where my feet are and not get ahead of myself because we have a quick turnaround. I just want to enjoy this one today and get to work tomorrow.”
The opening round matchup between the Aggies and the Rebels saw a slow offensive start as Albertville entered the second quarter with a 10-8 lead over Vestavia Hills. Smallwood would open up the scoring with a layup that was followed by scores from Gracyn Robeson and freshman Whitley Booker. The Aggie’s final first quarter point from come from a free throw by freshman Millie McBee.
The Rebels would start the second quarter on a 6-0 scoring run to take a 14-10 lead over the Aggies midway through the second quarter, but the Aggies would close the quarter with a 11-5 scoring run to take a 21-19 lead into the second half. Smallwood would lead the second quarter with eight points that included two three-point shots. Mylie Butler would add two made free throw attempts.
Albertville would start the third quarter with their own 6-0 scoring run to take a 27-19 lead. The scores were led by two baskets by Booker and a score from McBee. Smallwood would close out the quarter with a jumpshot to give Albertville a 30-24 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Albertville would pull away in the fourth quarter for a massive 54-35 win over the Rebels. The quarter was led by scores from Smallwood, Butler, McBee and Booker who combined for twenty-four fourth quarter points.
“We weren’t making shots in the first half but a part of basketball is that you have to adjust and see what they’re doing to you. These girls did that and we had a great fourth quarter,” Natasha Smallwood said.
The Aggies were led by Lani who finished with a game-high twenty-seven points along with five rebounds, three assists and seven steals. Booker would finish as the second highest scorer for the Aggies with nine points while also finishing with five blocks. Butler would finish with eight points.
The No. 2 Aggies will play No. 1 Hoover on Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. at Pete Mathews Coliseum in Jacksonville with the winner advancing to Birmingham for the State Tournament.
