![]() ![]() “I’ve coached them in middle school and high school and been with them for five years now, and we’ve won everything except the state championship and that’s what we are trying to get to,” McGill said. While advancing to the Regional Finals matters, the Indians set their expectations higher this year. Talladega couldn’t keep New Hope off the offensive boards early, producing 22 second-chance points for the game. Offensively, sophomore Kaylee Yarbrough (21 points, 8-17 FG) and senior Lauren Busbey (18 points, 5-8 from 3) led an explosive offensive effort as the Indians scored at least 13 points in every quarter. “It was just a different style of ball game that we did not adjust to well,” said Talladega head coach Rebecca Williams. New Hope’s exceptional defensive pressure intimidated a young Talladega team (nine sophomores or younger) holding it to 4-of-19 shooting (21 percent) in the first half and 11-of-48 for the game (23 percent). “Coach (Courtney) Screws does a great job and we know they will be ready for us.” “We feel like we know them and they know us,” New Hope coach Craig McGill said. They’ve played Handley at some point in the regional each of the last three years. ![]() Their 38-point victory advances them to the Regional Final for the third straight year and second against the Lady Tigers. The Indians outscored the Tigers 36-9 in the first half en route to a dominant victory. NEW HOPE 67, TALLADEGA 29: Unlike the opening game between Handley and Oneonta, this game was decided early. New Hope’s Kaylee Yarbrough goes up for a layup as Talladega’s Trinity Webb defends. Racing upcourt after the miss, Oneonta couldn’t get off a game-tying shot, and Handley prevailed. ![]() Mosely took center stage with seven seconds left, making the first but missing the second. The senior connected on both free throws. Needing to score points quickly, Oneonta struggled to get off a shot until Phillips drew a foul with 8.7 seconds on the clock. Takiera Tucker extended the lead to four, making both foul shots with 28 seconds remaining. Kristiana Tucker’s 3-point field goal gave the Tigers a brief 45-42 lead with 2:13 remaining, but Phillips answered right back, tying the game with her first 3-point basket and fifth point of the second half.Īkia Brown’s jumper put Handley up with 47-45 with just under 90 seconds left in overtime. In overtime, Oneonta continued its careless ball handling, turning the ball over twice in the first three possessions. “We planned to get a screen off the top, but nothing came together,” Oneonta said head coach Jill Phillips. The Redskins looked disorganized on their final possession, unable to get off a chance at a game-winning shot. Holding the ball for the last shot in regulation, Za’ Nautika Smith committed an illegal screen, handing the ball back to Oneota with 11 seconds remaining. “That’s a big part of who we are, playing aggressive defense and getting big steals and points in transition,” said Handley head coach Courtney Screws. “They started to face-guard me, so I tried to get my teammates more involved,” said Phillips, who finished with a team-high 22 points.ĭespite struggling to shoot the ball, Handley’s full-court press frustrated the Redskins, forcing them into 22 turnovers leading to 18 points. The senior made just two of nine shots in the second half, scoring only seven points. Polk’s overall triple-double, (10 points, 17 rebounds, 11 blocks, 3 assists) made up for Phillips’ second-half struggles. The 6-foot-5 senior scored seven points, grabbed eight rebounds, blocked five shots, and tallied three assists. ![]() In the second half, Polk’s game reached another level, impacting both sides of the ball and turning the contest into her showcase. Polk helped the Redskins control the boards, out rebounding the Tigers 22-12, including seven offensive rebounds. Ja’Naya Polk dominated the paint for Oneonta, swatting away six shots while grabbing nine rebounds. Tateriauna Mosley led the Tigers with 12 points. Handley struggled from the field, shooting just 31 percent, but stayed in the game by converting nine turnovers into 11 points. In the first half, Baylor Phillips led both teams with 15 points on 7-of-12 shooting as Oneonta led 23-21. The Lady Tigers will play New Hope in a rematch of last year’s regional final for a spot in the Class 4A Final Four in Birmingham. Despite outstanding individual performances by Oneonta, Handley advanced to their third straight Regional Final, 50-47 Saturday. Oneonta and Handley provided some exciting moments in a back-and-forth Class 4A Northeast Regional battle that extended to overtime. Lady Tigers win an overtime thriller over Oneonta, play New Hope Wednesday for trip to 4A girls Final Four ![]()
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