Spain Park girls upset in area tournament

Hewitt-Trussville's girls basketball team pulled off an upset of Spain Park in the Class 7A, Area 6 Tournament on Tuesday night.

The second-seeded Lady Jags fell victim to a 12-3 burst from the Lady Huskies in the fourth quarter, as Hewitt-Trussville took the lead for good early in the final period.

Hewitt-Trussville converted 26-of-31 free throws in the game, as the execution at the charity stripe was crucial in holding the lead down the stretch. 

Spain Park trailed by six points with under a minute to play, but a steal and subsequent three-pointer from Bailey Bowers pulled them within three. The Lady Jags got another steal on the next possession, but could not convert the potential tying three-point shot.

Gabby Hill scored 14 points for Hewitt-Trussville and is a big reason Hewitt-Trussville pulled off the win for the No. 3 Lady Huskies with her defensive and rebounding presence.

"We worked for it all season, and I think we earned it this year," she said. "I'm really proud of my team.

"Our pressing the whole game and just playing defense and making big shots," Hill said.

Spain Park started off the game with a strong start, leading 17-4 after the first quarter with a 12-0 run to boot. 

Claire Holt scored seven of her game-high 23 points in the first quarter on a runner, a layup, and a three-pointer. She also kickstarted an 8-0 run from the Lady Jags in the third quarter with two big baskets by driving to the goal. 

Hewitt-Trussville ended the first half on a 9-2 run to close the gap to 30-23 at the break. Morgan Kirk scored eight in the first half, with six of those in the second quarter, and finished with 12 in the game.

The Lady Huskies began the third quarter with another 9-2 run to tie the game at 32-all, as Bailey Berry banked in a three. Their first lead of the game came with 4:35 left in the frame on a Hill free throw.

Christina Till was a big factor in the comeback for Hewitt-Trussville, as her 12 points came via four three-pointers. She gave the Lady Huskies a brief lead near the end of the third quarter on a play in which she got a steal in the corner, spun around, shot the ball and drained it. 

Elizabeth Philpot gave her team the lead entering the final quarter, as she converted a layup to make it 49-48. Philpot just missed a double-double, as she scored 11 points and pulled down nine rebounds. 

The Lady Jags also got solid contributions from Barrett Herring and Christen Rushing down low. Herring contributed six rebounds and Rushing scored seven points. Freshman point guard Skyla Knight put forth seven points and four assists.

London Coleman hit all five of her free throws in the fourth quarter, and Kirk connected all eight of her tries from the charity stripe in the game. Berry tied for the team lead with 14 points.

The excitement of the win showed on the faces of the Hewitt-Trussville players, as they advance to the Class 7A regionals in Jacksonville and will play in the area final on Friday night at Mountain Brook. 

"It feels good. I haven't been in this position before," Hill said.

Spain Park's season concludes with the loss.