1 of 38
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
AHSAA State Semifinal girls 7A
The Spain Park bench erupts after Katie Flannery (22) made a 3-pointer in the second half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Spain Park and McGill-Toolen on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags defeated McGill-Toolen 48-35 to advance to the Class 7A state championship Sat. Feb. 29, against Hoover. Photo by Erin Nelson
2 of 38
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
AHSAA State Semifinal girls 7A
Spain Park’s Sarah Ashlee Barker (10) shoots for 2-points as she’s fouled by McGill-Toolen's Anna Reed McNeece (35) in the second half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Spain Park and McGill-Toolen on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags defeated McGill-Toolen 48-35 to advance to the Class 7A state championship Sat. Feb. 29, against Hoover. Photo by Erin Nelson
3 of 38
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
AHSAA State Semifinal girls 7A
Spain Park head coach Mike Chase talks with his team during a timeout in an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Spain Park and McGill-Toolen on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags defeated McGill-Toolen 48-35 to advance to the Class 7A state championship Sat. Feb. 29, against Hoover. Photo by Erin Nelson
4 of 38
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
AHSAA State Semifinal girls 7A
Spain Park’s Sarah Ashlee Barker (10) drives the ball toward the goal in the second half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Spain Park and McGill-Toolen on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags defeated McGill-Toolen 48-35 to advance to the Class 7A state championship Sat. Feb. 29, against Hoover. Photo by Erin Nelson
5 of 38
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
AHSAA State Semifinal girls 7A
Spain Park’s Sarah Ashlee Barker (10) shoots a layup guarded by McGill-Toolen's Destiny Young (5) and McGill-Toolen's Lindsey Cox (11) in the second half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Spain Park and McGill-Toolen on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags defeated McGill-Toolen 48-35 to advance to the Class 7A state championship Sat. Feb. 29, against Hoover. Photo by Erin Nelson
6 of 38
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
AHSAA State Semifinal girls 7A
Spain Park’s Haley Russell (25) shoots a layup in the second half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Spain Park and McGill-Toolen on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags defeated McGill-Toolen 48-35 to advance to the Class 7A state championship Sat. Feb. 29, against Hoover. Photo by Erin Nelson
7 of 38
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
AHSAA State Semifinal girls 7A
Spain Park’s Mackenzie Culpepper (4) gets set guarded by McGill-Toolen's Sanola Mixon (23) in the second half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Spain Park and McGill-Toolen on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags defeated McGill-Toolen 48-35 to advance to the Class 7A state championship Sat. Feb. 29, against Hoover. Photo by Erin Nelson
8 of 38
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
AHSAA State Semifinal girls 7A
Spain Park’s Katie Flannery (22) shoots a 3-pointer in the second half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Spain Park and McGill-Toolen on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags defeated McGill-Toolen 48-35 to advance to the Class 7A state championship Sat. Feb. 29, against Hoover. Photo by Erin Nelson
9 of 38
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
AHSAA State Semifinal girls 7A
Spain Park’s Sarah Ashlee Barker (10) moves toward the goal in the second half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Spain Park and McGill-Toolen on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags defeated McGill-Toolen 48-35 to advance to the Class 7A state championship Sat. Feb. 29, against Hoover. Photo by Erin Nelson
10 of 38
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
AHSAA State Semifinal girls 7A
Spain Park’s Sarah Ashlee Barker (10) takes control of a loose ball in the second half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Spain Park and McGill-Toolen on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags defeated McGill-Toolen 48-35 to advance to the Class 7A state championship Sat. Feb. 29, against Hoover. Photo by Erin Nelson
11 of 38
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
AHSAA State Semifinal girls 7A
The Spain Park bench erupts after Katie Flannery (22) made a 3-pointer in the second half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Spain Park and McGill-Toolen on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags defeated McGill-Toolen 48-35 to advance to the Class 7A state championship Sat. Feb. 29, against Hoover. Photo by Erin Nelson
12 of 38
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
AHSAA State Semifinal girls 7A
Spain Park’s Sarah Ashlee Barker (10) takes control of a loose ball in the second half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Spain Park and McGill-Toolen on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags defeated McGill-Toolen 48-35 to advance to the Class 7A state championship Sat. Feb. 29, against Hoover. Photo by Erin Nelson
13 of 38
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
AHSAA State Semifinal girls 7A
Spain Park’s Sarah Ashlee Barker (10) dribbles the ball guarded by McGill-Toolen's Kinstin Davis (4) in the second half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Spain Park and McGill-Toolen on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags defeated McGill-Toolen 48-35 to advance to the Class 7A state championship Sat. Feb. 29, against Hoover. Photo by Erin Nelson
14 of 38
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
AHSAA State Semifinal girls 7A
Spain Park’s Avery Masdin (14) takes the ball downcourt in the second half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Spain Park and McGill-Toolen on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags defeated McGill-Toolen 48-35 to advance to the Class 7A state championship Sat. Feb. 29, against Hoover. Photo by Erin Nelson
15 of 38
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
AHSAA State Semifinal girls 7A
Spain Park’s Sarah Ashlee Barker (10) dribbles the ball guarded by McGill-Toolen's Skylar Stapleton (34) in the second half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Spain Park and McGill-Toolen on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags defeated McGill-Toolen 48-35 to advance to the Class 7A state championship Sat. Feb. 29, against Hoover. Photo by Erin Nelson
16 of 38
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
AHSAA State Semifinal girls 7A
Spain Park’s Sarah Ashlee Barker (10) looks to pass the ball guarded by McGill-Toolen's Skylar Stapleton (34) in the second half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Spain Park and McGill-Toolen on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags defeated McGill-Toolen 48-35 to advance to the Class 7A state championship Sat. Feb. 29, against Hoover. Photo by Erin Nelson
17 of 38
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
AHSAA State Semifinal girls 7A
Spain Park’s Sarah Ashlee Barker (10) shoots a layup as she’s fouled by McGill-Toolen's Sanola Mixon (23) in the second half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Spain Park and McGill-Toolen on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags defeated McGill-Toolen 48-35 to advance to the Class 7A state championship Sat. Feb. 29, against Hoover. Photo by Erin Nelson
18 of 38
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
AHSAA State Semifinal girls 7A
Spain Park’s Avery Masdin (14) drives the ball toward the goal guarded by McGill-Toolen's Kinstin Davis (4) in the second half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Spain Park and McGill-Toolen on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags defeated McGill-Toolen 48-35 to advance to the Class 7A state championship Sat. Feb. 29, against Hoover. Photo by Erin Nelson
19 of 38
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
AHSAA State Semifinal girls 7A
Spain Park head coach Mike Chase reacts on the sideline in the second half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Spain Park and McGill-Toolen on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags defeated McGill-Toolen 48-35 to advance to the Class 7A state championship Sat. Feb. 29, against Hoover. Photo by Erin Nelson
20 of 38
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
AHSAA State Semifinal girls 7A
Spain Park’s Avery Masdin (14) looks to throw the ball in guarded by McGill-Toolen's Nya Valentine (13) in the second half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Spain Park and McGill-Toolen on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags defeated McGill-Toolen 48-35 to advance to the Class 7A state championship Sat. Feb. 29, against Hoover. Photo by Erin Nelson
21 of 38
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
AHSAA State Semifinal girls 7A
Spain Park’s Sarah Ashlee Barker (10) high-fives her teammates as she walks off the court in the second half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Spain Park and McGill-Toolen on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags defeated McGill-Toolen 48-35 to advance to the Class 7A state championship Sat. Feb. 29, against Hoover. Photo by Erin Nelson
22 of 38
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
AHSAA State Semifinal girls 7A
Spain Park’s Sarah Ashlee Barker (10) takes the ball downcourt in the second half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Spain Park and McGill-Toolen on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags defeated McGill-Toolen 48-35 to advance to the Class 7A state championship Sat. Feb. 29, against Hoover. Photo by Erin Nelson
23 of 38
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
AHSAA State Semifinal girls 7A
Spain Park’s Sarah Ashlee Barker (10) dribbles the ball guarded by McGill-Toolen's Sanola Mixon (23) AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Spain Park and McGill-Toolen on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags defeated McGill-Toolen 48-35 to advance to the Class 7A state championship Sat. Feb. 29, against Hoover. Photo by Erin Nelson
24 of 38
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
AHSAA State Semifinal girls 7A
The Jags react as they secure a spot in the state championship game following the AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Spain Park and McGill-Toolen on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags defeated McGill-Toolen 48-35 to advance to the Class 7A state championship Sat. Feb. 29, against Hoover. Photo by Erin Nelson
25 of 38
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
AHSAA State Semifinal girls 7A
AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Spain Park and McGill-Toolen on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags defeated McGill-Toolen 48-35 to advance to the Class 7A state championship Sat. Feb. 29, against Hoover. Photo by Erin Nelson
26 of 38
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
AHSAA State Semifinal girls 7A
AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Spain Park and McGill-Toolen on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags defeated McGill-Toolen 48-35 to advance to the Class 7A state championship Sat. Feb. 29, against Hoover. Photo by Erin Nelson
27 of 38
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
AHSAA State Semifinal girls 7A
AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Spain Park and McGill-Toolen on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags defeated McGill-Toolen 48-35 to advance to the Class 7A state championship Sat. Feb. 29, against Hoover. Photo by Erin Nelson
28 of 38
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
AHSAA State Semifinal girls 7A
AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Spain Park and McGill-Toolen on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags defeated McGill-Toolen 48-35 to advance to the Class 7A state championship Sat. Feb. 29, against Hoover. Photo by Erin Nelson
29 of 38
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
AHSAA State Semifinal girls 7A
Spain Park’s Avery Masdin (14) passes the ball guarded by the McGill-Toolen defense during the first half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Spain Park and McGill-Toolen on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. Photo by Erin Nelson
30 of 38
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
AHSAA State Semifinal girls 7A
AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Spain Park and McGill-Toolen on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. Photo by Erin Nelson
31 of 38
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
AHSAA State Semifinal girls 7A
AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Spain Park and McGill-Toolen on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags defeated McGill-Toolen 48-35 to advance to the Class 7A state championship Sat. Feb. 29, against Hoover. Photo by Erin Nelson
32 of 38
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
AHSAA State Semifinal girls 7A
AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Spain Park and McGill-Toolen on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags defeated McGill-Toolen 48-35 to advance to the Class 7A state championship Sat. Feb. 29, against Hoover. Photo by Erin Nelson
33 of 38
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
AHSAA State Semifinal girls 7A
AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Spain Park and McGill-Toolen on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags defeated McGill-Toolen 48-35 to advance to the Class 7A state championship Sat. Feb. 29, against Hoover. Photo by Erin Nelson
34 of 38
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
AHSAA State Semifinal girls 7A
AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Spain Park and McGill-Toolen on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags defeated McGill-Toolen 48-35 to advance to the Class 7A state championship Sat. Feb. 29, against Hoover. Photo by Erin Nelson
35 of 38
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
AHSAA State Semifinal girls 7A
AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Spain Park and McGill-Toolen on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags defeated McGill-Toolen 48-35 to advance to the Class 7A state championship Sat. Feb. 29, against Hoover. Photo by Erin Nelson
36 of 38
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
AHSAA State Semifinal girls 7A
AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Spain Park and McGill-Toolen on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags defeated McGill-Toolen 48-35 to advance to the Class 7A state championship Sat. Feb. 29, against Hoover. Photo by Erin Nelson
37 of 38
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
AHSAA State Semifinal girls 7A
AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Spain Park and McGill-Toolen on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags defeated McGill-Toolen 48-35 to advance to the Class 7A state championship Sat. Feb. 29, against Hoover. Photo by Erin Nelson
38 of 38
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
AHSAA State Semifinal girls 7A
Spain Park’s Sarah Ashlee Barker (10) shoots a free throw in the second half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Spain Park and McGill-Toolen on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Jags defeated McGill-Toolen 48-35 to advance to the Class 7A state championship Sat. Feb. 29, against Hoover. Photo by Erin Nelson
BIRMINGHAM — It’s a date.
With a 48-35 victory over McGill-Toolen in Thursday’s Class 7A state semifinal, the Spain Park High School girls basketball team will face crosstown rival Hoover in Saturday’s state championship game.
The Lady Bucs beat Central-Phenix City earlier Thursday at Legacy Arena. Now, they're all that stand between Spain Park, the 2018 state champion, and its second title in three years.
“It was a good win for us, and we’re excited to be back in the finals,” Spain Park head coach Mike Chase said.
Spain Park and Hoover split their previous matchups this season, with Hoover winning 56-32 in December and Span Park prevailing 61-56 in January.
The teams also met in the 2017 state final, which Hoover won in overtime.
“If you look at it, the past four years, Hoover City Schools — one of the teams — has won a state championship, and I think that first of all you’ve just got to be happy four your city,” Spain Park senior Sarah Ashlee Baker said. “But then second of all, what’s better than playing your rival team in a state championship game? Nothing, that’s the team that you want to play.”
Spain Park (31-4) advanced to the state final thanks to a persistent effort against McGill-Toolen (26-7).
The Lady Jags led by four points after one quarter and by two at halftime, 19-17. Barker paced her team with nine first-half points, while Avery Masdon had seven.
Chase said his team’s defense carried it early on.
“You never know what you’re going to get when you’re playing in front of a big crowd and on a floor like this and as much space around the rim and stuff,” Chase said. “Usually, games are more low scoring in the finals, but I thought we got into a pretty good rhythm in the second half.”
Two-point baskets out of the break from Barker and Haley Russell, along with a 3 from Masdon, helped Spain Park take control in the third quarter. The Lady Jags stretched their advantage to nine, 32-23, before McGill-Toolen cut into the deficit with consecutive 3s.
A pair of Masdon free throws gave Spain Park a 34-29 edge heading into the final quarter.
“Avery played out of her mind today,” Chase said. “I know Avery’s playing a great game when she’s making free throws, and she made free throws today.”
Barker started the final quarter with a tone-setting 3, as she and Masdon carried their team down the stretch. Barker finished with a game-high 26 points and 10 rebounds, while Masdon finished with 14 points.
“They put a lot of bodies in front of her,” Chase said of Barker. “As long as she can not get herself frustrated early in the game, she usually finds a way — it might not be until the third quarter, fourth quarter — to kind of take over.”
Spain Park outrebounded McGill-Toolen 32-19 and converted 16-of-23 free throws.
Chase said his team will go back to the school tonight to watch film and get ready for Saturday’s game against Hoover.
It’s nothing new.
“We prepare for Hoover 365 [days per year],” he said.
The state final tips off at 4 p.m. at Legacy Arena.
