By Scott Nickerson
Elmore/Autauga News
For the first time in the history of the school, the boys and girls Edgewood Academy Basketball teams recently competed for an AISA Class 2A state championship on the same day. Both teams won, making for a day that students, fans, and alumni will never forget.
The Lady Wildcats were first to capture the trophy, with a resounding 59-36 victory over Lakeside to complete an undefeated season at 27-0. It was the Lady Wildcats’ second consecutive AISA Class 2A state championship. Led by Junior guard and Finals MVP Lindsey Brown, the Lady Wildcats cruised to a 27-9 halftime lead.
Lakeside came out of halftime on fire and went on a 12-2 run to cut the lead to single digits at 29-21. The Lady Wildcats didn’t panic. They gathered themselves after a timeout by Coach Darryl Free and proceeded to go on a run of their own to end the 3rd quarter, leading 43-23 and putting the game well out of reach heading into the final period.
The 4th quarter was controlled by Edgewood. Lakeside had no answer for the combination of Brown and Jaylyn Strength driving to the lane, or Madison Miller getting offensive rebounds and put backs in the paint.
Brown, a junior, is also committed to play college volleyball at the University of Alabama. She led all scorers with 24 points. Strength added 16 points and Martin scored 10 points.
Edgewood Boys Win Thriller
Following the girls’ victory, the Edgewood Boys took the court to face Autauga Academy. Having defeated the Generals twice earlier in the season, they knew the third time would be difficult since it was for the championship, and not to mention, senior point guard Austin Champion was playing through a foot injury suffered in the Wildcats’ semi-final win the day before.
A back and forth 1st half ended with the Generals hitting two three pointers in the last minute of the 2nd quarter, and giving Autauga Academy a 20-17 lead at the break.
After the Generals scored the first points of the 2nd half to go up by 5, Edgewood responded with a 9-0 run to retake the lead. The Wildcats were able to push the lead to 8 points in the 4th quarter, but the Generals were able to cut the lead to just two points in the final minute of the game.
Autauga Academy was fouled and at the free throw line, shooting two free throws, with just 16 seconds left in the game. The first throw was missed, but the second was made, cutting the Edgewood lead to 41-40.
The Generals immediately fouled JB Collier, who had just entered the game after Champion fouled out. Collier calmly sank both free throws to go up 43-40.
Autauga Academy moved the ball down court and took a 3-point shot in the final seconds that would have tied the game, but it was not to be. As the clock expired Edgewood Academy players ran on the court, celebrating the school’s second championship of the day.
