AHSAA 1A Semi-Finals Recap
Today was Day One of a crazy week of high school basketball playoffs hosted in Birmingham at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. In each classification, four teams remain with each vying for a championship plaque to take home to their school.…
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Continue ReadingToday was Day One of a crazy week of high school basketball playoffs hosted in Birmingham at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. In each classification, four teams remain with each vying for a championship plaque to take home to their school. Below is a recap of the 1A Boys Semi-Finals.
Semi-Final #1: Decatur Heritage 60 vs. Georgiana 58
This game was the perfect start to the week and was everything a basketball fan could ask for. After the first half, Georgian led 22-19. Entering the fourth quarter, it was Decatur Heritage leading 36-33. The game ended up going to overtime and the stars showed up. Decatur Heritage’s GianCarlo Valdezscored the final seven points: a long three with 45 seconds to go and then another bucket, but none bigger than his final bucket. He stole the ball with 10 seconds remaining, sprinted down the court and banked in the game winner as time expired. Valdez proved that there’s some people meant for the big stage and have what he takes. He finished with 13 points.
Also for the Eagles, was another monster: Noah Boler. He was an absolute force to be reckoned with on both sides of the ball. Valdez may have finished it off, but without Boler, there is no game at all. He finished with 24 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 blocks. Expect big things from him in the championship game.
Semi-Final #2: Spring Garden 45 vs. St. Luke’s Episcopal 51
The second semi-final game was a story from beyond the arc, a story of highs and lows. St. Luke’s made seven three pointers on roughly 38% shooting while their defense held Spring Garden to 1-14 shooting form beyond the arc. For St. Luke’s Jermaine Brown, JaCorey Jacobs, and Michael Winstonfinished with 17, 14, and 13 points, respectively.
In the finals on Thursday, St. Luke’s is going to have to shoot the ball lights out again. With the inside, defensive presence of Noah Boler, they’ll have to play outside-in basketball to give them the best chance.