Scott Nickerson
Elmore Autauga News
On Tuesday night, the Stanhope Elmore Lady Mustangs defeated the Wetumpka Indians 71-54, to clinch the Class 6A Area 4 championship. It was the Mustangs’ third win over the Indians this season.
“It’s hard to put into words (how it feels to win the area championship),” said Stanhope Elmore Head Coach Kelvin Stokes, “but if I chose one, it would be ‘great’! But this is just a small step towards a bigger goal. As a team, it makes you feel accomplished because winning the area was one of our goals.”
The Mustangs were up by 24 points at halftime, but the Indians managed to cut the deficit to just 7 points in the 2nd half. However, the Mustangs were able to reset and extend the lead to win by 17 points.
“I was impressed with the way we overcame and persevered during the 3rd quarter slump. We only scored maybe 9 points in the 3rd quarter but we kept playing defense. I had to remind them that basketball is a game of runs,” said Coach Stokes.
Junior Heaven Bailey was named the Most Valuable Player of the Area Tournament. She scored 20 points, 7 assists, 5 steals, and 3 rebounds. Senior Aubrey Newton and Freshman Kuraji Crosby were also named to the All Tournament Team. Newton hit four 3-point shots and scored 14 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals. Crosby had 12 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 blocks.
With the win, the Mustangs record improves to 27-3. The Mustangs will host the 1st Round of the Class 6A playoffs on Friday night against the winner of the Blount-Murphy game Wednesday night. If the Mustangs win, they will advance to the Class 6A Regionals in Montgomery next week.
