BIRMINGHAM – For most high school basketball programs, going nearly a decade without winning a state basketball championship isn’t especially notable.
     Unless you’re the Lauderdale County High School girls’ program.
     Lauderdale County has won 13 AHSAA state girls’ basketball championships – the most in AHSAA history – but none since 2016. That could change since the Tigers (33-1) will play for state title No. 14 on Friday after defeating T.R. Miller 58-42 in Tuesday’s Class 3A state semifinal at the BJCC’s Legacy Arena.
      “A lot of people look at it like a drought,” Lauderdale County coach Carla Clemons said. “Our fans and our community expect us to be here every single year. … We’re here now. We’re going to try to win it all.”
|     Lauderdale County used a stifling defensive performance, forcing 25 turnovers, to knock off T.R. Miller (25-2), coached byLamonyn Burney. Four Lauderdale County players – Shila Marks, Armani Thomas, Ansley Shelton, and Sarah Smith – recorded at least three steals apiece.
      “We know defense wins games,” Clemons said, “and that’s what won today.”
     Lauderdale County concentrated much of its pressure on T.R. Miller point guard Meg Fountain, who was held to 2-of-10 shooting and seven points. “That was smart of them,” said Fountain.
     Marks led Lauderdale County with 23 points, making 9-of-11 shots, and added a team-best five steals. Thomas added nine points, four assists and four steals. Sarah Smith tallied six points, seven grounds and five assists.
     Jadin Curry finished with 17 points and 12 rebounds to lead T.R. Miller, which returned to the state tournament after finishing as Class 3A runner-up last season. Lyrik Hails added eight points.
     Lauderdale County advances to play in Friday’s Class 3A girls’ championship game, set to tip off at 12:30 p.m., against the winner of Tuesday’s other semifinal game featuring Sylvania (18-14) and Saint James School (33-2).
      “This is the grittiest team we’ve had – maybe ever at Lauderdale County,” Clemons said. “They’re a team. They don’t care who does what, who scores what.”