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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
SPK girls vs HV Class 7A Championship
The Spain Park girls basketball team celebrates as they run to claim the AHSAA Class 7A girls championship trophy following a game against Hoover on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 at Legacy Arena at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags claimed the Class 7A state title after defeating Hoover 47-44. Photo by Erin Nelson
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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
SPK girls vs HV Class 7A Championship
Hoover’s Madison Adamson (23) dribbles the ball in the fourth quarter of the AHSAA Class 7A girls championship game between the Buccaneers and the Jaguars on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 at Legacy Arena at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags claimed the Class 7A state title after defeating Hoover 47-44. Photo by Erin Nelson
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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
SPK girls vs HV Class 7A Championship
The Spain Park bench erupts as the Jags score late in the fourth quarter of the AHSAA Class 7A girls championship game between the Buccaneers and the Jaguars on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 at Legacy Arena at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags claimed the Class 7A state title after defeating Hoover 47-44. Photo by Erin Nelson
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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
SPK girls vs HV Class 7A Championship
The Spain Park girls basketball team lifts up Camille Chase (24) as they celebrate with the AHSAA Class 7A girls championship trophy following a game against Hoover on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 at Legacy Arena at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags claimed the Class 7A state title after defeating Hoover 47-44. Photo by Erin Nelson
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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
SPK girls vs HV Class 7A Championship
The Spain Park girls basketball team celebrates as they run to claim the AHSAA Class 7A girls championship trophy following a game against Hoover on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 at Legacy Arena at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags claimed the Class 7A state title after defeating Hoover 47-44. Photo by Erin Nelson
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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
SPK girls vs HV Class 7A Championship
Spain Park’s Sarah Ashlee Barker (10) hugs her teammate Kamryn Corey (15) as she walks to the bench in the final minutes after a fifth foul was called on Barker in the AHSAA Class 7A girls championship game between the Buccaneers and the Jaguars on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 at Legacy Arena at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags claimed the Class 7A state title after defeating Hoover 47-44. Photo by Erin Nelson
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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
SPK girls vs HV Class 7A Championship
Spain Park’s Haley Russell (25) dribbles the ball toward the goal in the fourth quarter of the AHSAA Class 7A girls championship game between the Buccaneers and the Jaguars on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 at Legacy Arena at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags claimed the Class 7A state title after defeating Hoover 47-44. Photo by Erin Nelson
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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
SPK girls vs HV Class 7A Championship
The Hoover Lady Bucs console each other following the AHSAA Class 7A girls championship game between the Buccaneers and the Jaguars on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 at Legacy Arena at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags claimed the Class 7A state title after defeating Hoover 47-44. Photo by Erin Nelson
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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
SPK girls vs HV Class 7A Championship
Spain Park’s Sarah Ashlee Barker (10) hugs her teammate Kamryn Corey (15) as she walks to the bench in the final minutes after a fifth foul was called on Barker in the AHSAA Class 7A girls championship game between the Buccaneers and the Jaguars on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 at Legacy Arena at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags claimed the Class 7A state title after defeating Hoover 47-44. Photo by Erin Nelson
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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
SPK girls vs HV Class 7A Championship
Spain Park’s Haley Russell (25) shoots for 2-points guarded by Hoover’s Madison Adamson (23) during the AHSAA Class 7A girls championship game between the Buccaneers and the Jaguars on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 at Legacy Arena at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags claimed the Class 7A state title after defeating Hoover 47-44. Photo by Erin Nelson
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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
SPK girls vs HV Class 7A Championship
Spain Park’s Sarah Ashlee Barker (10) reacts as a fifth foul is called and she walks back to the bench in the final minutes of the AHSAA Class 7A girls championship game between the Buccaneers and the Jaguars on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 at Legacy Arena at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags claimed the Class 7A state title after defeating Hoover 47-44. Photo by Erin Nelson
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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
SPK girls vs HV Class 7A Championship
The Spain Park girls basketball team celebrates as they run to claim the AHSAA Class 7A girls championship trophy following a game against Hoover on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 at Legacy Arena at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags claimed the Class 7A state title after defeating Hoover 47-44. Photo by Erin Nelson
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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
SPK girls vs HV Class 7A Championship
The Spain Park girls basketball team celebrates at center-court after winning the AHSAA Class 7A girls championship title in a game against Hoover on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 at Legacy Arena at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags claimed the Class 7A state title after defeating Hoover 47-44. Photo by Erin Nelson
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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
SPK girls vs HV Class 7A Championship
Spain Park head coach Mike Chase calls a play during the AHSAA Class 7A girls championship game between the Buccaneers and the Jaguars on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 at Legacy Arena at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags claimed the Class 7A state title after defeating Hoover 47-44. Photo by Erin Nelson
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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
SPK girls vs HV Class 7A Championship
The Spain Park bench reacts as the Jags block a shot by Hoover in the AHSAA Class 7A girls championship game between the Buccaneers and the Jaguars on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 at Legacy Arena at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags claimed the Class 7A state title after defeating Hoover 47-44. Photo by Erin Nelson
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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
SPK girls vs HV Class 7A Championship
The Spain Park student section erupts as the Jags score late in the fourth quarter of the AHSAA Class 7A girls championship game between the Buccaneers and the Jaguars on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 at Legacy Arena at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags claimed the Class 7A state title after defeating Hoover 47-44. Photo by Erin Nelson
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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
SPK girls vs HV Class 7A Championship
Spain Park’s Sarah Ashlee Barker (10) and Avery Masdin (14) hug their teammate Camille Chase (24) after winning the AHSAA Class 7A girls championship title in a game against Hoover on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 at Legacy Arena at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags claimed the Class 7A state title after defeating Hoover 47-44. Photo by Erin Nelson
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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
SPK girls vs HV Class 7A Championship
The Spain Park Lady Jags reach out for AHSAA State Championship ball caps as they have photos made by the AHSAA after being named the Class 7A girls state champions following a game against Hoover on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 at Legacy Arena at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags claimed the Class 7A state title after defeating Hoover 47-44. Photo by Erin Nelson
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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
SPK girls vs HV Class 7A Championship
Hoover’s Rachel Hager (45) reaches out to keep the ball in-bounds during the first half of the AHSAA Class 7A girls championship game between the Buccaneers and the Jaguars on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 at Legacy Arena at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags claimed the Class 7A state title after defeating Hoover 47-44. Photo by Erin Nelson
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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
SPK girls vs HV Class 7A Championship
Spain Park’s Haley Russell (25) shoots a layup in the first half of the AHSAA Class 7A girls championship game between the Buccaneers and the Jaguars on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 at Legacy Arena at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags claimed the Class 7A state title after defeating Hoover 47-44. Photo by Erin Nelson
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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
SPK girls vs HV Class 7A Championship
Spain Park’s Sarah Ashlee Barker (10) dribbles the ball guarded by Hoover’s Reniya Kelly (10) in the first half of the AHSAA Class 7A girls championship game between the Buccaneers and the Jaguars on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 at Legacy Arena at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags claimed the Class 7A state title after defeating Hoover 47-44. Photo by Erin Nelson
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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
SPK girls vs HV Class 7A Championship
Spain Park’s Sarah Ashlee Barker (10) snags the ball on a rebound during the second half of the AHSAA Class 7A girls championship game between the Buccaneers and the Jaguars on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 at Legacy Arena at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags claimed the Class 7A state title after defeating Hoover 47-44. Photo by Erin Nelson
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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
SPK girls vs HV Class 7A Championship
Spain Park’s Avery Masdin (14) passes the ball guarded by Hoover’s Rachel Hager (45) in the first half of the AHSAA Class 7A girls championship game between the Buccaneers and the Jaguars on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 at Legacy Arena at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags claimed the Class 7A state title after defeating Hoover 47-44. Photo by Erin Nelson
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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
SPK girls vs HV Class 7A Championship
Spain Park’s Avery Masdin (14) shoots the ball guarded by Hoover’s Reniya Kelly (10) in the first half of the AHSAA Class 7A girls championship game between the Buccaneers and the Jaguars on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 at Legacy Arena at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags claimed the Class 7A state title after defeating Hoover 47-44. Photo by Erin Nelson
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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
SPK girls vs HV Class 7A Championship
Spain Park’s Sarah Ashlee Barker (10) moves to make a play guarded by Hoover’s Janae Hubbard (3) and Hoover’s Rachel Hager (45) in the first half of the AHSAA Class 7A girls championship game between the Buccaneers and the Jaguars on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 at Legacy Arena at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags claimed the Class 7A state title after defeating Hoover 47-44. Photo by Erin Nelson
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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
SPK girls vs HV Class 7A Championship
Spain Park’s Sarah Ashlee Barker (10) shoots for 3-points guarded by Hoover’s Madison Adamson (23) in the first half of the AHSAA Class 7A girls championship game between the Buccaneers and the Jaguars on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 at Legacy Arena at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags claimed the Class 7A state title after defeating Hoover 47-44. Photo by Erin Nelson
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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
SPK girls vs HV Class 7A Championship
Hoover’s Madison Adamson (23) moves to shoot a layup guarded by Spain Park’s Sarah Ashlee Barker (10) in the first half of the AHSAA Class 7A girls championship game between the Buccaneers and the Jaguars on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 at Legacy Arena at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags claimed the Class 7A state title after defeating Hoover 47-44. Photo by Erin Nelson
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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
SPK girls vs HV Class 7A Championship
/Hoover’s Madison Adamson (23) guards Spain Park’s Sarah Ashlee Barker (10) under the goal during the first half of the AHSAA Class 7A girls championship game between the Buccaneers and the Jaguars on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 at Legacy Arena at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags claimed the Class 7A state title after defeating Hoover 47-44. Photo by Erin Nelson
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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
SPK girls vs HV Class 7A Championship
Spain Park’s Alanah Pooler (50) shoots a layup guarded by Hoover’s Madison Adamson (23) in the first half of the AHSAA Class 7A girls championship game between the Buccaneers and the Jaguars on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 at Legacy Arena at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags claimed the Class 7A state title after defeating Hoover 47-44. Photo by Erin Nelson
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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
SPK girls vs HV Class 7A Championship
Spain Park’s Sarah Ashlee Barker (10) dribbles the ball downcourt in the first half of the AHSAA Class 7A girls championship game between the Buccaneers and the Jaguars on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 at Legacy Arena at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags claimed the Class 7A state title after defeating Hoover 47-44. Photo by Erin Nelson
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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
SPK girls vs HV Class 7A Championship
Hoover head coach Krystle Johnson talks with the Lady Bucs during a timeout in the first half of the AHSAA Class 7A girls championship game between the Buccaneers and the Jaguars on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 at Legacy Arena at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags claimed the Class 7A state title after defeating Hoover 47-44. Photo by Erin Nelson
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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
SPK girls vs HV Class 7A Championship
Spain Park’s Avery Masdin (14) shoots for 3-points guarded by Hoover’s Reniya Kelly (10) in the first half of the AHSAA Class 7A girls championship game between the Buccaneers and the Jaguars on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 at Legacy Arena at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags claimed the Class 7A state title after defeating Hoover 47-44. Photo by Erin Nelson
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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
SPK girls vs HV Class 7A Championship
Hoover’s Campbell Hecklinski (11) looks to pass the ball guarded by Spain Park’s Avery Masdin (14) in the first half of the AHSAA Class 7A girls championship game between the Buccaneers and the Jaguars on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 at Legacy Arena at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags claimed the Class 7A state title after defeating Hoover 47-44. Photo by Erin Nelson
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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
SPK girls vs HV Class 7A Championship
Spain Park’s Alanah Pooler (50) fights for control of the ball against Hoover’s Janae Hubbard (3) and Hoover’s Reniya Kelly (10) in the second half of the AHSAA Class 7A girls championship game between the Buccaneers and the Jaguars on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 at Legacy Arena at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags claimed the Class 7A state title after defeating Hoover 47-44. Photo by Erin Nelson
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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
SPK girls vs HV Class 7A Championship
Spain Park’s Mackenzie Culpepper (4) dribbles the ball downcourt in the first half of the AHSAA Class 7A girls championship game between the Buccaneers and the Jaguars on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 at Legacy Arena at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags claimed the Class 7A state title after defeating Hoover 47-44. Photo by Erin Nelson
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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
SPK girls vs HV Class 7A Championship
Spain Park’s Avery Masdin (14) dribbles the ball downcourt guarded by Hoover’s Jada Knight (2) AHSAA Class 7A girls championship game between the Buccaneers and the Jaguars on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 at Legacy Arena at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags claimed the Class 7A state title after defeating Hoover 47-44. Photo by Erin Nelson
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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
SPK girls vs HV Class 7A Championship
Spain Park’s Sarah Ashlee Barker (10) looks to make a play in the first half of the AHSAA Class 7A girls championship game between the Buccaneers and the Jaguars on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 at Legacy Arena at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags claimed the Class 7A state title after defeating Hoover 47-44. Photo by Erin Nelson
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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
SPK girls vs HV Class 7A Championship
Spain Park’s Sarah Ashlee Barker (10) shoots for 2-points guarded by Hoover’s Kristen McMillan (20) and Hoover’s Rachel Hager (45) in the first half of the AHSAA Class 7A girls championship game between the Buccaneers and the Jaguars on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 at Legacy Arena at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags claimed the Class 7A state title after defeating Hoover 47-44. Photo by Erin Nelson
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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
SPK girls vs HV Class 7A Championship
Spain Park’s Sarah Ashlee Barker (10) dribbles the ball toward the goal guarded by Hoover’s Janae Hubbard (3) in the first half of the AHSAA Class 7A girls championship game between the Buccaneers and the Jaguars on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 at Legacy Arena at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags claimed the Class 7A state title after defeating Hoover 47-44. Photo by Erin Nelson
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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
SPK girls vs HV Class 7A Championship
Spain Park’s Sarah Ashlee Barker (10) dribbles the ball toward the goal guarded by Hoover’s Madison Adamson (23) in the first half of the AHSAA Class 7A girls championship game between the Buccaneers and the Jaguars on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 at Legacy Arena at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags claimed the Class 7A state title after defeating Hoover 47-44. Photo by Erin Nelson
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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
SPK girls vs HV Class 7A Championship
AHSAA Class 7A girls championship game between the Buccaneers and the Jaguars on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 at Legacy Arena at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. Photo by Erin Nelson
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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
SPK girls vs HV Class 7A Championship
Hoover’s Madison Adamson (23) shoots the ball guarded by the Spain Park defense in the first half of the AHSAA Class 7A girls championship game between the Buccaneers and the Jaguars on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 at Legacy Arena at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags claimed the Class 7A state title after defeating Hoover 47-44. Photo by Erin Nelson
BIRMINGHAM – The flood of emotions hit Sarah Ashlee Barker two minutes and three seconds earlier than expected.
In the Class 7A state championship game on Saturday afternoon, the Spain Park High School star senior was slapped with her fifth foul, meaning she would be relegated to a cheerleading role on the bench for the final 2:03.
“It being my last game, and being a senior in the state championship game, you don’t want to go out like that,” Barker said.
The Lady Jags were up six points when she exited, and Barker was forced to gather herself quickly after a brief group hug with her remaining teammates on the bench.
Spain Park struggled in those final two minutes but withstood a late Hoover charge to win 47-44, capturing the Lady Jags’ second state championship in three years.
In the postgame press conference, Spain Park head coach Mike Chase wasn’t sure where to begin.
“I’m usually not at a loss for words,” he said.
Barker’s fifth foul was against Hoover’s Reniya Kelly, who subsequently sank a pair of free throws to cut Spain Park’s lead to 40-36. Spain Park struggled to get the ball across half court against Hoover’s pressure defense without its leader.
“I didn’t think we were going to get the ball across half court. Actually, I didn’t think we were going to get the ball in bounds,” Chase said.
Kelly was the driving force behind a Lady Bucs’ comeback that began while Barker was still in the game. Hoover trailed 35-19 early in the fourth quarter before going on a 9-0 run to cut the gap to seven. Kelly converted a pair of and-1 baskets to make it 44-42.
Clinging to that lead, Spain Park’s Haley Russell was sent to the free throw line with 24 seconds to play. She sank both charity shots.
“Sarah Ashlee had just come out of the game, so right after that I knew I had to step up,” Russell said. “When I got those two free throws, this was my chance and this was my opportunity.”
Hoover got one last opportunity in the final seconds, but a final shot attempt was too little, too late.
“We finally got a couple calls, walked down and made some free throws, and had just enough to get us over the finish line,” Chase said. “Another 30 seconds, and I don’t know if the result would’ve been the same.”
Hoover, the defending state champs, struggled offensively for much of the first three quarters. At one point, the Lady Bucs had made just 5-of-37 attempts from the field. They finished at 24% shooting.
“We don’t ever start a season and plan to not win a state championship,” Hoover head coach Krystle Johnson said. “The first half was probably the worst we’ve played all season.”
Barker would have much rather been on the court to help lead her team to the finish line, like she’s done countless times in her four-year career. But the Lady Jags were only outscored 8-7 in those final minutes without her, allowing them to grab a blue championship map.
“Throughout the whole year, I’ve been the one that’s had to step up,” Barker said. “It was their time to step up and have my back. You can only thank them and thank God that you have teammates and friends like them.”
Barker finished the night with a double-double, totaling 11 points and 15 rebounds, but she wasn’t the team’s leading scorer as is so often the case. That distinction went to junior guard Avery Masdon, who scored 12 points for Spain Park, including three free throws in the final stretch without Barker.
“Avery has played lights out, in the regional tournament and especially these two games in the final four,” Chase said.
‘It’s redemption’
Hoover City Schools has now won each of the last four 7A girls state championships, with Hoover and Spain Park alternating those titles. Hoover won it all in 2017 and 2019, and Spain Park claimed the top prize in 2018.
“It’s obviously a huge accomplishment for the city of Hoover,” Johnson said. “These two programs are becoming an example for the younger kids. I think it’s something that you’ll continue to see because of the success of these two programs.”
In 2017, Hoover and Spain Park squared off in the state championship game, just like Saturday. Hoover outlasted the Lady Jags in overtime after then-freshman Barker drained a 3-pointer at the end of regulation to force the extra period.
The Lady Jags got their own title in 2018, but didn’t have to go through Hoover, which was knocked out in the regional tournament that season. Last season, Hoover steamrolled opponents all the way to a championship game win over Hewitt-Trussville.
“It’s redemption, basically,” Barker said. “We didn’t get to play Hoover in the state championship [in 2018]. Freshman year, we lost to them and this time we beat them. That makes it 10 times better.”
Hoover and Spain Park met twice in the regular season, with each team winning on its home floor. The Lady Bucs picked up a convincing 56-32 victory Dec. 6. In the final regular season game, Spain Park won 61-56 on Jan. 31, behind 35 points from Barker.
When Hoover fell short of the state title in 2018, the Lady Bucs came back in 2019 with a fire to return to the top of the mountain. Johnson hopes Saturday’s disappointment will serve to fuel a similar motivation.
“This is a lesson learned,” she said. “I hate it for the seniors, but I appreciate how hard Janae [Hubbard] and Madison [Adamson] played today. They left it all out on the floor.”
The prize in the toolbox
Chase kept it hidden from the public eye for the whole season, but he brought it into the open at the postgame press conference. A Stanley brand toolbox, black with a bright yellow lid, was handed to him as he walked into the room. He promptly sat it on the table and removed the items inside.
A miniature state championship trophy, a replica of the ones handed out to state champions, was wrapped inside an old Spain Park jersey donning the number 24. The trophy foreshadowed what was to come, with a “2020” label stuck on it. The jersey represents the 24th varsity team Chase has coached in his career.
The team called the trophy Stanley.
“He’s what pushes us through everything,” said Katie Flannery, who scored seven points in the title game.
It served as motivation during good times and bad throughout the season.
“Every time we were starting to slack and slip, I’d pull Stanley out and they’d look at him and say, ‘This is what we’re looking for.’ We set the vision and these guys followed through,” Chase said.
Altered preparation
Hoover and Spain Park coexist within the same city, both programs knowing the most minute of details about the other. But a significant injury within both teams altered how the game looked on Saturday.
In the regional final Feb. 18, Hoover’s leading scorer Aniya Hubbard suffered a knee injury. In the semifinal game on Thursday, Spain Park guard Camille Chase hurt her knee as well. Both players were critical to their respective team’s successes throughout the year.
“Us without Aniya, we’re lacking some energy,” Johnson said. “She just plays hard all the time. … We still had plenty of opportunities to win this game today. I know that’s a huge story, but that wasn’t the deciding factor in the game.”
Without Hubbard, Reniya Kelly led the way with 23 points, including several big baskets in the second half.
“I had to score and get the team back in it, so that’s what I did,” Kelly said.
Camille Chase’s injury left Spain Park without a top 3-point shooter and solid defender, but the Lady Jags had her in mind as they achieved their goal.
After the game, Lady Jags rushed to the center of the Legacy Arena court to claim their second state championship trophy. A few seconds later, Barker grabbed the trophy and handed it to Camille Chase, who was hoisted into the air by her teammates.
Mike Chase, known for his intense coaching style, experienced another special moment at the conclusion of a state championship game.
In 2018, an eighth-grade Camille hit a 3-pointer near the end of Spain Park’s championship win. On Saturday, she was recognized for her contributions throughout the season.
Much like two years ago, Mike Chase had no choice but to smile.
