— posted by Mike Cummings
It’s the final day of action at the AHSAA Northwest Regional in Hanceville. Join me throughout the day for live updates.
10:42 a.m. After postgame interviews, it’s easy to see how Hubbard was able to defeat Berry so easily. Berry coach Vic Herren said he tried to get his team to run with Hubbard but quickly conceded that it might have been a bad idea. Hubbard has too many athletes, and too deep a bench, to try something like that — unless you have comparable athletes and reserves.
Using their superior up-tempo game, the Lady Chiefs outscored Berry 50-25 over the course of the second and third quarters. The rest of the game Berry won 24-22, though that includes the fourth quarter, when Hubbard emptied its bench and was outscored 12-4.
Zena Harris led Hubbard (20-3) with 16 points, while Alex Gholston had 14. Tiana Mason and Tenisha Lynch scored 10 points apiece. Emma Herren scored 26 points and grabbed 15 rebounds for Berry (23-7).
Alex Gholston was named tournament MVP, with Zena Harris and Alexis Acosta also making the all-tournament team.
10:12 a.m. Final score RAH 72, Berry 49. More stats and reaction to come.
9:56 a.m. Hubbard wins the third quarter 22-9, taking a 68-37 into the fourth quarter. This one’s all but over. The Lady Chiefs are heading to Birmingham.
9:33 a.m. Hubbard is no longer just threatening to run away with this one. They’re already halfway back to Courtland. The Lady Chiefs lead 46-28 at halftime after outscoring Berry 28-16 in the second quarter. Alex Gholston has been held mostly in check, but the rest of her teammates are having a field day. Zena Harris has 11 points, while Gholston has 8, including the final basket of the half. Berry’s Emma Herren has 15 points and 7 rebounds.
9:13 a.m. End of the first quarter: Hubbard 18, Berry 12. Hubbard threatened to break the game open early, taking leads of 16-4 and 18-6, but Berry responded with the final six points of the quarter. The Lady Wildcats could have had more, but they missed two free throws with 12 seconds left.
8:55 a.m. Five minutes before scheduled tipoff, we’re already 1:02 into R.A. Hubbard’s Class 1A girls final against Berry. The Lady Chiefs lead 1-0.
Cody Whitlock
Justin Graves
