By Johnny Sanders, Sports Editor
SPRINGVILLE – The Springville Tigers welcomed the Alexandria Valley Cubs on Monday night for a playoff game and dominated their visitors in a 26-point victory to punch their ticket to the AHSAA’s version of the ladies sweet sixteen.
Offensively, Springville came out of the gate swinging and landing haymakers, putting up 19 points in the first quarter. On the defensive side of the ball however, they let the Valley Cubs find some openings and allowed 13 points. Olivia Carroll had 6 points in the period to go with 4 from Leah Bowden and 3 from Farrah Hawkins.
In the second, the teams sort of swapped roles. Offensively, Springville slowed down a bit, scoring 13 points in the period. The defense played a bit better and allowed just 9 points for Alexandria. Springville was led in the second by Bowden and Bella Bullington who each scored 4 points for the Tigers. Springville would take a 32-22 lead into the locker room.
You’ve heard cheerleaders cheer the following, “Instant replay!” That is what we got in the third quarter. An instant replay of the second, with Springville scoring 13 points and Alexandria scoring 9. What was not an instant replay was the leading scorer for the Tigers. Abby Byrd scored 6 of the 13 points followed by Ava Vaughn, who had 4. Heading into the final quarter of the game, Springville would hold a commanding 45-31 lead over the Alexandria Valley Cubs.
Alexandria’s hopes of a big comeback in the fourth quarter would be choked out by a Springville defense that was bent on getting to the next round of the playoffs. The Valley Cubs would get their lowest output of the night with just 6 points in the final quarter. Springville would have another really good quarter on offense, scoring 18 points. Hawkins and Bullington would lead the Tigers with 6 points each.
On the night, Bella Bullington would lead all scorers with 14 points. Abby Byrd, Farrah Hawkins and Leah Bowden had 10 points each for the Tigers as well.
“It was a great team effort,” said Springville Head Coach Warren House. “4 girls scored in double digits. We started the game a little shaky on defense and then settled down. The team had 14 steals at halftime. Also, Ava Vaughn contributed 10 rebounds and Kinsley Tate had 8 rebounds as we out-rebounded Alexandria 48-29 in the game. I was really proud of the girls for getting the win and advancing to Regionals at JSU.”
The Tigers will move to the sweet sixteen to take on Arab at Jacksonville State University on Friday either at 9:00 am or 12:00 pm.