BY DYLAN HURST
SPORTS – SPECIAL TO THE EAN
Top Photo: Autauga Academy’s Robert Rose led the Generals in scoring.
Top-ranked Autauga Academy is heading to the final four after the Generals’ high-tempo offense and defensive takeaways lifted them over Lowndes Academy 62-45 in the Alabama Independent School Association Class AA quarterfinals on Wednesday night at the Multiplex at Cramton Bowl.
The Generals found their stride early and raced out to a 17-9 lead at the end of the first quarter, but the Rebels matched Autauga in the second and third quarters and were trailing just 46-40 heading into the fourth quarter. Costly turnovers hurt the Rebels in the final quarter as the Generals were able to capitalize and pull away.
“(Autauga) was making some shots late and getting rebounds off the glass and I think we may have ran out of gas a bit there in the fourth quarter,” Lowndes Academy coach Barry Mohun said. “I’m really proud of our guys. We were going to have to play a certain way and we were hoping that Autauga was going to have to play a certain way to be a competitive game.”
Rob Rose led the Generals in scoring with 25 points along with five assists and two steals. Josh Palmer added 13 points with seven rebounds and two assists. Pharrell Banks scored 11 points along with five assists, five rebounds and four steals. AJ Perry scored seven points and had four assists. Deuhn Carroll added six points, seven rebounds and two assists.
Rebounding was the name of the game for the Generals in the final quarter and head coach William Turner talked about how important his team’s successful rebounding and great free-throw shooting was to their victory.
“It was hugely important.., we really limited them to one shot every possession when it came down on offense,” said Turner. “On our side, we were getting multiple rebounds every possession, and also knocking down free-throws, which we traditionally haven’t been great with during tournament time, but tonight they kept going in.”
Jackson Self led the Rebels with 15 points, followed by Clayton Hussey and Lee Harris with nine points each, Colby Briggs with eight points and Trey Thomas and Chase Rodder with two points each.
Autauga (16-0) will play Patrician in the AA semifinals on Friday at 4:30 p.m. at the Multiplex.
