By John Goolsby, For the Tribune
IRONDALE – Pell City knew that to bring home the area crown, they would have to stop Area MVP Angela Williams. They were successful with that strategy for the first period.
Fortunately for the Lady Mounties, Williams had other plans. The junior scored 22 points over the next three quarters to lead Valley to a 58-53 victory and the Area 10 championship.
Pell City got off to a fast start and jumped out to an 11-8 lead at the end of the first quarter. Williams exploded for 13 points in the second period, and the Lady Mounties headed to halftime with a 27-21 lead.
Pell City outscored Valley 10-9 out of the break and cut the Lady Mounties’ lead to five points, 36-31, as the two teams headed to the fourth period.
Williams scored 7 points, and Rhaegan Evans and Kyliah Ravizee scored 5 points each in the fourth period to help Valley maintain the lead and secure the victory and Area Title.
Zaniya Mitchell of Pell City scored 10 fourth quarter points and led the Panthers with 22 points.
Williams finished with 22 points. Evans and Zoey Little scored 10 apiece.
Williams, Little and Kia Crayton were named to the All-Area team.
“We’ve had moments where we bent but didn’t break,” said head coach Gary Ferguson. “This team has shown a true level of resiliency and simply finds a way to win.”
The Lady Mounties host Gadsden City this Monday in the sub-regionals at 6 PM