By Scott Nickerson
Elmore Autauga News
The Prattville Lions girls’ basketball team is just one win away from their second consecutive trip to the Class 7A Final Four following a blowout victory over the Alma Bryant Hurricanes in the Semi-Finals of South Regional at Garrett Coliseum in Montgomery.
The Lions did not start slow even though the tip was at 9 a.m. Prattville Head Coach Erica DuBois knew the early tip would not be a problem for the Lions. “The 9:00 a.m. game wasn’t a problem for the girls. They are used to me springing different times on them for different workouts so they know they have to stay ready to go at all times.”
And they were ready to go. It was immediately apparent that Prattville’s pressure defense was going to be too much for Alma Bryant to handle. Midway through the opening quarter, sophomore KeLeigh Mullins had a steal and found Ullyriah Lewis for an easy basket and an 11-4 lead. The Hurricanes called a timeout, but they had no answer for the Lions. Jayla West-Young had a steal, and converted a layup while she was fouled, and the route was officially on before the 1st quarter ended.
The Hurricanes only scored three points in the 2nd quarter, all off of free throws. The Lions defense held the Hurricanes without a single made field goal in the period and went into the halftime break leading 41-11. Mullins had a big half for Prattville, scoring 13 points, and pulling down 6 rebounds, to go along with four steals.
“Execution on defense was better in the 2nd quarter,” said Coach DuBois. “We were more patient on defense and I had my two best defenders in their best two guards.”
The 3rd quarter was more of the same. Alma Bryant made just one field goal, along with a few free throws, and Prattville had a whopping 45-point lead going into the final quarter, 62-17.
The Lions managed to coast in the final quarter and finished with a 76-30 victory.
For the game, the Lions had four different players score in double figures. West-Young had 19 points, 14 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals. Mullins had 17 points, 7 rebounds, 6 steals, and 2 assists. Lewis had 17 points, 3 steals, and 2 assists. Junior Jaina Misigah had 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 steals.
“Jaina Misigah has been a scorer all season,” said Coach DuBois. “For whatever reason she is overlooked because of my three guards up top. I believe people are just now starting to notice her for some reason.”
The Lions will play again in Garret Coliseum for the South Region Final against Enterprise on Tuesday, February 20, at 12:30 p.m., with the winner advancing to the Class 7A Final 4. The Lions have beaten Enterprise three times this season, so they know what they have to do to win the South Region.
“The key to Enterprise is playing our brand of basketball and slowing down their ‘big’ in the middle,” said Head Coach DuBois.
