PISGAH GIRLS WIN BACK-TO-BACK CHAMPIONSHIPS!

PISGAH GIRLS WIN BACK-TO-BACK CHAMPIONSHIPS!

By Staff Reports

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Senior Annie Hughes sank two free throws with six seconds remaining to seal Pisgah’s 46-41 AHSAA Class 3A state championship game victory over Montgomery Academy at the BJCC Legacy Arena.

Hughes, who played much of the second half with four fouls, had 24 points, three assists, two steals and eight rebounds to earn Class 3A State Tourney MVP.  The state title was the second in a row for Coach Carey Ellison’s Eagles (34-1) and the seventh overall in the school’s storied girls’ basketball history.  Other state titles came in 1981, 1982, 1997, 2203, 2205 and 2018.

Hughes struggled at the free-throw line all night but made the ones that counted most.  Her team built a 27-20 lead but halftime and spent much of the second half protecting the lead with their senior leader Hughes on the bench.

Bailey Law, who made a key steal that led to a much-needed Hughes free throw with 22 seconds left, added eight points. She finished with a team-leading five steals. Chloe Womack also had five points, three steals and eight rebounds.

Montgomery Academy (31-3), coached by Barry Fancher, played much of the second half without its key playmaker Leighton Robertson, who also had four fouls. The junior guard managed 14 points and f our steals before fouling out late. Senior Margaret Head  had four points and 11 key rebounds. She also had two steals and two blocked shots.  Mildred Stevenson had 11 points, six rebounds, six steals and four assists.

Montgomery Academy has won one state title (1999).

The Class 3A All-Tourney Team included: Annie Hughes, Pisgah (MVP); Chloe Womack, Pisgah; Margaret Head, Montgomery Academy; Leighton Robertson, Montgomery Academy; C’era Beck, Winfield; Kaitlyn Reyes, Prattville Christian.

The 97th AHSAA State Basketball Championships continue Friday with the Class 3A boys finals. The Class 4A girls’ and boys’ championship games follow at 4 and 5:45 p.m. Classes 5A, 6A and 7A will close out the state championships on Saturday.