BIRMINGHAM – Tuscaloosa Academy saw a 10-point halftime lead evaporate in the third period Monday night when Section outscored the Knights 28-16 to take a two-point lead into the finals.
     Tuscaloosa Academy, roared back in the fourth period, however, scoring the last 18 points of the game to post a 72-56 win as the 105^th AHSAA Basketball Championships concluded day one at the BJCC Legacy Arena.
     The Knights (21-1), coached by Luke Hutcheson, were deadlocked at 53-53 with Section (25-7), coached by Derek Wynn, early in the fourth quarter. Tuscaloosa Academy 6-foot-5 senior Danilo Stojakovic finished strong down the stretch to finish with a game-high 27 points on offense, clear 10 rebounds and blocked five shots on defense.
     Matthew Atkins added 15 points, and Ellis Hamiter had 13.
     Section was led by 6-2 junior guard Jackson Cooper, who had 20 points and five rebounds. Junior guard Jackson LeRoy chipped in 15 points, seven rebounds, and four steals. Sam Swinford, also a junior, had 12 points and six rebounds. 
     Tuscaloosa Academy played in the AHSAA Class 2A state football championship last December with many of the same players now advancing to the Class 2A state boys’ finals Friday at 10:45 a.m., to face Providence Christian (29-20. The Knights are seeking their first AHSAA state title.
     Section has won three state championships – the first one coming in 1969 followed by state crowns in 2003 and 2022.
     The 2025 State Championships will tip off Day 2 with the Class 3A girls’ and boys’ semifinals featuring Lauderdale County (33-1) vs. T.R. Miller (25-1) in the girls’ opener. Class 4A girls’ and boys’ semifinals will be played in the second session Tuesday.
     All games are being live streamed over the NFHS Network’s subscriber-based platform and the AHSAA TV Network with WOTM TV producing the contests.  The Alabama Public Television Network will telecast all championship games and the four Class 7A semifinal games beginning Thursday. The AHSAA Radio Network is also broadcasting all 42 games this week over its radio and  internet network.