BIRMINGHAM – Spring Garden High School continued its run toward a third straight Class 1A girls’ basketball title, earning an 81-34 victory over R.C. Hatch in Monday’s semifinals at the BJCC’s Legacy Arena.
Ace Austin, the reigning Miss Basketball who has signed with the University of Alabama, filled the stat sheet with 32 points, 11 assists, 11 rebounds and five steals. She committed one turnover.
“It’s always fun to win down here,” said Spring Garden coach Ricky Austin, Ace’s father. “We’ve been here a few times, but we’re not overlooking this moment.”
Ace Austin said she was happier about the 11 assists than her 32 points. “That just shows what great teammates I have that can make shots,” Ace said. The victory marked the 202nd game she has played in during her six-Year varsity career. Spring Garden has compiled a 202-10 record with her in the lineup – a winning percentage of 95.3%. Her feat is an all-time state record for girls’ and boys’ basketball.
Spring Garden, which won the last two Class 1A titles and has won five since 2016, advances to Thursday’s championship game against Brilliant, which earned a 54-51 overtime victory over McIntosh earlier Monday. Tip-off for Thursday’s championship game is set for 4 p.m.
Olivia Law added 19 points for the Panthers (35-1), and Maggie Jarrett added 16 points, six rebounds and six assists.
Spring Garden led 32-8 at the end of the first quarter and 51-15 at halftime.
R.C. Hatch (25-4), coached by Zannetta Whitt, was chasing its first girls’ basketball state title since 2000. Breoynce Myers led R.C. Hatch with 12 points, followed by Damerria Bates with 10 points and Jakobia Moss with eight points.
“We just couldn’t get in the flow,” Whitt said. “Our shots weren’t falling.”
