BIRMINGHAM – Montgomery Academy broke open a close game at halftime with a 13-0 run to start third quarter as the Eagles downed Lauderdale County 60-50 in the Class 3A Boys’ semifinals at the BJCC Legacy Arena Tuesday.
The two teams clashed in the first boys’ game Tuesday in the second day’s action as the 106th AHSAA State Basketball Championships opened day 2 at the BJCC Legacy Arena.
The Eagles (27-7), coached by Jeremy Arant, will play in Friday’s 3A boys’ championship game Friday at 2:15 p.m.
“Lauderdale County was a tough opponent,” said Arant. “They play you hard from start to finish. each (Whitney) Owens does a great job.”
Montgomery Academy held a slim 23-22 lead at halftime. Arant, explaining the 13-0 start after intermission, said his team remained focused, however.
“I am proud of my guys,” he said. “They compete so well, and they came today to play great defense. We were really locked in on defense.”
The Tigers (25-6), which had just nine turnovers for the game, closed the Montgomery Academy lead in the fourth quarter to nine. The Eagles stayed calm, however, to close out the win.
Braden Gordon led Montgomery Academy with 21 points, Mason Ellis had 12 points, Jarrett Friendly had 11 points, 14 rebounds and four assists. Calvin Watkins’ 15 points led Lauderdale County. Asa Butler scored nine points, and Connor May had eight. Watkins sank three treys and had six rebounds.
The state tournament continues Wednesday with the remaining boys’ and girls’ semifinals in Classes 3A and 4A, followed by Classes 5A and 6A on Wednesday. Class 7A plays its semifinals Thursday with the Class 1A girls’ and boys’ finals beginning the Championships at 4 p.m., and 5:45 p.m., respectively. The remaining title games continue Friday and Saturday.
All semifinal games are being video livestreamed over the NFHS Network and WOTM.tv. The finals will also be live video streamed over the NFHS Network and shown live on the Alabama Public TV Network. Vince Earley of WOTM.tv is the executive producer for the broadcasts.
The AHSAA Radio Network, managed by Brett Pritchard and Randy Lee, is also broadcasting all 42 games this week over its statewide network. And for the first time in the state tournament’s modern history, schools can have their flagship radio stations produce and broadcast their games back to their own communities. A total of 18 schools and 17 radio stations are taking advantage of the opportunity.
AHSAA 2026 STATE BASKETBALL
CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT
AT BJCC Legacy Arena, Birmingham
TUESDAY, MARCH 3
CLASS 3A
3A Girls’ Semifinals
Saint James (32-4) 76, Mars Hill Bible (28-5) 56
Mobile Christian (21-10) vs. Glencoe (22-8), Tuesday, March 3, noon
3A Girls’ State Finals
Friday, March 6, 12:30 p.m.
3A Boys’ Semifinals
Montgomery Academy (27-7) 60, Lauderdale County (25-6) 50
Southside-Selma (21-6) vs. Whitesburg Christian (26-5), Tuesday, March 3, 1:30 p.m.
3A Boys’ State Finals
Friday, March 6, 2:15 p.m.
CLASS 2A
4A Girls’ Semifinals
Montgomery Catholic (22-6) vs. Good Hope (28-6), Tuesday, March 3, 3 p.m.
Jackson (21-8) vs. Plainview (33-2), Tuesday, March 3, 6 p.m.
4A Girls’ State Finals
Friday, March 6, 4 p.m.
2A Boys’ Semifinals
Fairfield (24-10) vs. Deshler (24-7), Tuesday, March 3, 4:30 p.m.
Jackson (24-1) vs. Ashville (30-3), Tuesday, March 3, 7:30 p.m.
4A Boys’ State Finals
Friday, March 6, 5:45 p.m.
