NORTH COURTLAND — Shoals Christian pulled the first big shocker of the postseason Thursday night, stunning Class 1A, No. 3 Covenant Christian 59-55 in the semifinals of the Area 16 tournament.
The Flame (11-12), which opened the season 1-9, assured themselves a berth in next week’s sub-regional round. They’ll play R.A. Hubbard on Saturday for the area championship.
“We’ve been playing better lately,” coach Carl Bullard said. “After the way we played last week against Phil Campbell, I thought we might have a chance. It seems like we’ve figured out what we want to do.”
Three Shoals Christian players scored in double figures in the win in which the Flame broke on top early but trailed by two points after the third quarter.
Lacey Lindley scored 17 points to lead the way, followed by Grace Matthews with 15 points and Kyra Davis with 14 points.
Anna Claire Noblit scored a game-high 22 points for Covenant Christian (23-4). Bailey Hill added 19.
Matthews hit three 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, including two late in the game to hold off Covenant.

Class 1A, Area 15

Tharptown 64, Vina 36: Tharptown advanced to the championship game with an easy win against Vina.
The Wildcats led 14-2 after the first quarter and pulled away in the second half, outscoring Vina 40-24.
Kamri Sears led the Wildcats (18-7) with 15 points. She was the only player in double figures, but seven teammates scored five or more points.
Morgan Humphres paced Vina with 12 points.

Class 2A, Area 15

Lexington 46, Sheffield 25: Lexington jumped out to a 21-3 lead after one quarter and coasted into Saturday’s championship game against Tanner.
Haven Albright led Lexington (26-6) with 14 points while Savannah Stults had eight. Sheffield’s Tyzia Pride led all scorers with 17 points.
Tanner 54, Hatton 24: After playing two close games in the regular season, Tanner routed Hatton to reach the final.
Tanner led 22-9 at halftime.
Sydney Houston led Tanner with 21 points while Samara French had 10. Boston Claborn led Hatton with 10 points.

Class 2A, Area 16

Red Bay 81, Cherokee 16: Class 2A, No. 5 Red Bay opened the game with a 36-0 run to easily reach Saturday’s final.
Katie Burks paced the Tigers (25-30) with 16 points. Kasey Sparks added 14, while Holly Hardin scored 12 and Lexie Lindsey 11.
Phil Campbell 39, Colbert Heights 31: Hope Cook scored 11 of her game-high 17 points in the second half as Phil Campbell held off Colbert Heights.
The Bobcats (16-13) take on Red Bay in the championship game Saturday night.
Phil Campbell led 16-15 at the half but extended the advantage to 28-20 after three quarters.
Autumn Thomas added 12 points for Phil Campbell.
Destinee Pratt scored 12 points for Colbert Heights.

Class 4A, Area 16

Central 55, Rogers 53: Central built a 10-point halftime lead and then held on at the end to advance to the tournament final Saturday.
Abby Keener scored a game-high 26 points
and Bailey Wilson added 13 as the Wildcats
(15-13) secured a berth in next week’s sub-state round.
Rogers (13-16) pulled even in the fourth quarter but Central scored to take the lead for good in the closing minutes.
Morgan Killen scored 14 points for Rogers, while Lindsey Hamner added 13 and Maggie Green 12.
West Limestone 57, Wilson 42: Ciarra Edwards scored a game-high 22 points but it wasn’t enough to help Wilson extend its season as host West Limestone advanced to Saturday’s championship game.
Shelby Clay scored 14 points and Laura Easter added 12 points for the Wildcats, who led 27-17 at the half.

Class 1A, Area 15 tournament

Belgreen 59, Hackleburg 53: Allison and Lexie Bragwell combined to score 38 points to lead Belgreen to a six-point win over Hackleburg. Allison, a freshman, scored 21 points while Lexie added 17. Belgreen jumped out to a 21-9 lead after the first quarter and withstood a second-half rally.
Kristin Camp led Hackleburg with 18 points while Katlyn Adams scored 15.

Regular season

Wayne County 54, Mt. Pleasant 38 (girls): Wayne County (9-17) outscored Mt. Pleasant in each quarter behind 15 points from Jessie Ray.
Emily McNeese led Mt. Pleasant with 19 points.
Mt. Pleasant 52, Wayne County 47 (boys): Wayne County nearly rallied from an 11-point
halftime deficit against Mt. Pleasant, but missed two free throws in the final minute that would have
tied it.
Sawyer Ray led the Wildcats (10-140 with 14 points.
Jordan Woodson scored 22 points for Mt. Pleasant.