Lady Patriots reign
Justin Schuver, Madison Record
DECATUR - The Lady Patriots finished the Decatur Orthopaedic Clinic with their 18th victory of the season, knocking off No. 2 Class 5A Hartselle 63-57 in the championship game Dec. 29 at Decatur High School's Earl Morris Gymnasium.
Three Lady Patriots were named to the All-Tournament team following the championship game. They were Sametria Gideon, China Antoine and Kellie Cook (MVP).
Championship game
Bob Jones 63
Hartselle 59
The Lady Patriots came out on a tear and withstood Hartselle's comeback attempt to pull away late and earn Bob Jones the Decatur Orthopaedic Clinic championship. Bob Jones led the game 34-22 at halftime but Hartselle managed to cut that lead to six heading into the fourth quarter.
The Lady Tigers pushed Bob Jones' lead down to as few as five, but could get no further. Kellie Cook hit four straight free throws in the last minute of the game to ice it for the Lady Patriots.
The Lady Patriots' defense proved to be the difference. Hartselle, which shot 50 percent from the field in its semifinal win over J.O. Johnson, was held to just a 36 percent (18 of 50) field goal percentage by the Lady Patriots. Bob Jones shot 55 percent from the field (26 of 47).
"It all goes back to effort," Greer said. "A lot of times an opponent will make a comeback and then the girls in the lead have a tendency to lower their head, but our girls didn't do that tonight. They kept fighting and worked hard to beat a really good team."
Hartselle (15-3) was the tournament's defending champion and defeated Class 6A No. 7 Carver-Montgomery on the way to the Classic final.
Bob Jones was paced offensively by China Antoine, who finished with 20 points. Kellie Cook added 15 for the Lady Patriots and Kylie Cook had 13.
Hartselle was led by Mary Virginia Reeves' 16 points.
Bob Jones 67
Lawrence County 42
The Lady Patriots jumped out to a 28-5 advantage after the first quarter and cruised from there. Bob Jones gave Class 4A Lawrence County just its second loss of the season.
Jewel Kinlaw led the way offensively for Bob Jones, finishing with 10 points.
Lawrence County was led by Nakia McDaniel's 12 points.
Bob Jones 66
Grissom 36
Bob Jones played suffocating defense to knock off Grissom in a first-round game at the Decatur Orthopaedic Clinic Classic. The Lady Tigers shot just 26.8 percent from the floor in the game, compared to Bob Jones' 43.6 percent.
The Lady Patriots led 33-18 at halftime and forced Grissom into 32 turnovers.
Bob Jones was led offensively by Kellie Cook's 14 points. Sametria Gideon added 12.
Anna Lane had 12 to lead Grissom (10-5).
