Published: Thursday, March 4, 2010

By Tony Sisk
Madison Magazine

The Bob Jones Lady Patriots bid to repeat as Class 6A state champions in the AHSAA Final 48 was thwarted by the Hoover Lady Buccaneers, a team that the Lady Patriots had beaten for the state title a season before 56-43.

This year was a different story, as the Lady Patriots found it hard to replace departing sensation Jala Harris, who went on to play for the UAB Lady Blazers.

This was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the Lady Patriots, but head coach Tim Miller said the players decided early in the season they wanted to be at the top again.

“We went into the Finals knowing that win or lose this was a great season for the Lady Patriots,” said Miller. “The girls were determined to be here and they worked hard all season for it.”

The Lady Patriots won the state title in 2008 and 2009.

Bob Jones 19, Hoover 39

Hoover held the Lady Patriot offense in check and only allowed Bob Jones a total of 19 points in a 39-19 decision. Bob Jones scored the first two points of the game with a shot by TiarraPrichett, but went ice-cold and could not manage a basket for over 11 minutes of game play when Makena Randall dropped in a shot with 3:32 left in the first half.

Bob Jones was unable to recover and watched their dreams of a repeat ticked away, as the seconds counted down on the clock. Randall finished the game with eight points and 13 rebounds to lead the Lady Patriots, Pritchett followed with six points, two rebounds and an assist, Tierra Jones added five rebounds, three points and two steals, Jordan Jennings pulled down three boards and Alisia Matthews chipped in two points.

The Lady Buccaneers were led by tournament MVP Meghan Dunn with 18 points and seven rebounds, Chardonae Fuqua followed with four points, three rebounds and two blocked shots, Shannon Steinert added five points, four steals and five boards, Tyresse Tanner contributed with eight points and six rebounds, while Kayla Anderson and Tra'cee Turner each chipped in two points.

Bob Jones 51, Davidson 41

The Lady Patriots got into the finals with a 10-point win over the Davidson Lady Warriors in the semi-finals of the Final 48, but the game did not start out so promising when Bob Jones looked up at the score board with 3:51 left in the quarter and were staring down at a 13-2 deficit. However, the Lady Patriots were able to overcome the deficit and 15-13 lead to end the quarter and extended that lead out to 29-18 at the half.

Bob Jones was led by Rikeya McKinnon with 11 points, two steals and three rebounds. McKinnon was the spark in the first quarter to get the Lady Patriots back into the game when she nailed a 3-pointer with 3:31 left in the quarter. Also leading the way for Bob Jones was Randall with a game-high 19 points, one blocked shot, nine rebounds and two steals.

Pritchett added five points, three assists and a rebound, Jones finished with seven points, eight rebounds and a steal, DaAsha Campbell contributed with six points, two rebounds and a steal, and Jennings followed with three points and two assists.

Davidson was led by Aundre Adams with 16 points and an assist, DevinaMoulds followed with 11 rebounds, 10 points, one blocked shot and two steals to complete a double-double, Seandra Stevens added seven points and a rebound, Micah Brooks finished with five points, three rebounds and two steals, Teresita Gill pulled down three boards and Carlisha Coker added two points and a steal.