SEHS Boys Overcome Deficit to Beat Prattville;  Lady Lions Look Ready for Another Final Four Run with Victory Mustangs

By Scott Nickerson

Elmore Autauga News

Boys High School Basketball

Stanhope Elmore – 80

Prattville – 69

Four Stanhope Elmore High seniors scored in double figures on Senior Night against the Prattville Lions, as the Mustangs overcame a 20-point 2nd quarter deficit, and 14-point halftime deficit, to win 80-69.

The Lions, led by star Ty Bryant’s 17 first half points, appeared to deliver a knockout blow in the first half. Mustang senior Corrian Gilder was able to cut into the lead just before halftime, but Prattville still led 47-33.

The Mustangs that came out to play in the 3rd quarter looked like a different team from the first half. The Lions had no answer for Gilder, who took the game over offensively, finishing with a game high of 30 points.

Seniors Charles “Tripp” Johnson III and Jaylon Young also caught fire, grabbing tough rebounds on the offensive and defensive glass.

In the 3rd quarter, Gilder hit back-to-back 3’s to light the spark and ignite the crowd, and just before the end of the quarter, senior AJ Davis hit his third 3 pointer of the game, and on the next possession knocked down two free throws, to tie the game at 60 heading into the 4th quarter.

With the crowd as loud and excited as it’s been all season, the Mustang seniors seized upon the momentum from the 3rd quarter. Gilder quickly hit two baskets to give the Mustangs their first lead since early in the game, but the highlight of the night, and maybe the season, came when Johnson slammed home a thunderous dunk moments later to put the Mustangs up by six points. The result of the slam dunk had many Mustang fans running around the stands and court in excitement and celebration.

Moments after the slam, Johnson had another strong take to the glass to move the Mustangs ahead even more.

“We were down most of the game,” Johnson said. “I knew the team needed to keep the momentum and the dunk was the spark that we needed to keep the momentum on our side,” said Johnson of his big play.

For the Lions, Ty Bryant continued his impressive season, scoring 23 points.

Gilder led the Mustangs with 30 points. “It felt good doing it on Senior Night,” Gilder said of his 30-point performance. “I played like it was my last game. In the 3rd quarter, I knew I had to get going and that the team would get going as well. When they went to man defense, I felt confident in scoring, either getting to the goal or getting an open jumper off the dribble.”

 Johnson finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Young had 10 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 assists, and Davis had 11 points.

Girls High School Basketball

Prattville – 74

Stanhope Elmore – 42

The Prattville Lady Lions continued their string of impressive play, implementing a suffocating and relentless defensive effort on the road against the Mustangs.

“My girls love to play defense,” said Head Coach Erica DuBois. “Our pressure defense leads to scoring opportunities because they enjoy the teamwork it takes to play it and they have put in the work to not get tired doing it.”

The impressive defensive effort led to several scoring opportunities. Still, late in the 2nd quarter, the Mustangs pulled within 5 points after back-to-back 3-point shots by Kuraji Crosby. But the Lions scored the last 8 points of the half and went into the break ahead 37-24.

In the 3rd quarter, with the Mustangs attempting to get back into the game, Prattville sophomore KeLeigh Mullins had a quick basket, then a steal on the inbound and score. She scored again on the following possession to put the Lions comfortably ahead.

It was an impressive victory on the road for the Lions. “My girls always just come to compete,” said DuBois. “Whether that be home or away, they know they have to be ready to step on the floor and play our brand of basketball.”

For the game, Stanhope Elmore senior Ariel Gilchrest had 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists.

For the Lions, Jayla West had 23 points, 11 rebounds, 4 steals and an assist. KeLeigh Mullins had 18 points and Ullyriah Lewis had 14 points.

The Lions, who made the Class 7A Final Four last year, will start the journey to get back to Birmingham when they host the area tournament which starts February 3.