Three teams win area titles
Bob Jones girls 50, Sparkman girls 45
A battle of two of the state's best girls basketball teams lived up to its billing as No. 1 Bob Jones defeated No. 3 Sparkman in the Area 16 championship final in Harvest Tuesday.
Sparkman held a 22-19 lead at halftime and increased its lead to as many as nine points in the third quarter. But Bob Jones (29-3) responded with an 11-0 run of its own and the teams were tied at 35-all heading into the last quarter.
Kellie Cook led the way for the Lady Patriots with 15 points and Manning added 11. Chatia Kelsey had 18 points to lead Sparkman (23-3) and Adrienne Webb added 16.
Bob Jones hosted Huntsville Thursday in sub-region play while Sparkman went on the road to Hazel Green.
Sparkman boys 65, Austin boys 58
The Senators wrapped up the Area 16 title at home Tuesday night against a familiar foe.
Austin was the team who knocked Sparkman out of the Wallace State regional last season, but this time it was the Senators who controlled the boards (Sparkman outrebounded Austin 30-18) and controlled the game.
Sparkman (22-8) held an 18-13 lead at halftime and led by as many as 12 points in the second half, taking advantage of hot shooting all game - the Senators shot 60 percent from the field.
G.W. Boon led Sparkman with 19 points and Jusmon Rivers finished with 14 after going a perfect 5-for-5 from the field.
Jay Sears led Austin (16-13) with 33 points in a losing effort.
Sparkman hosts Buckhorn tonight in sub-region play and Austin travels to Hazel Green.
Class 3A, Area 14
Madison Academy boys 50, New Hope boys 32
Defending state champion Madison Academy got off to a good start in this year's postseason with an 18-point win in the Area 14 championship in Madison Tuesday night.
The Mustangs' used a dominating defensive presence to shut down Trey Brandon, New Hope's best scorer. He was held to just two points.
Madison Academy was led by Kerron Johnson with 13 points. Bawa Muniru added 10 rebounds, nine points and nine blocked shots.
Madison Academy hosts Pisgah on and New Hope travels to face Crossville.
New Hope girls 51, Madison Academy girls 30
Ellen Pointer had eight points to lead the Lady Mustangs as they finished as Area 14 runner-up to host New Hope Saturday night.
Madison Academy (11-13) traveled to face Crossville in a sub-region game Thursday and New Hope hosted Pisgah.
