Game 9 – Spring Garden (Ala) 57, Knox Catholic 54

(Game 9) Spring Garden (Ala) 57, Knox Catholic 54

The most exciting game to date in the tournament had Spring Garden’s Ace Austin hitting a step-back 3-pointer from the baseline as the final horn sounded to lead the Lady Panthers to a 57-54 barn-burner over the Irish of Knox Catholic.

The Alabama Gatorade Player of the Year, who will likely display her talents for the Crimson Tide next year, scored 35 points in the game, and most impressively, 17 of those came in the decisive fourth quarter when Spring Valley made their run after trailing much of the contest.

Catholic was ahead 39-34 at the end of the third period in the tight contest, but the Panthers went ahead 43-41 on a 3-pointer by Montana Highfield at the 3:15 mark. Austin then scored the remainder of Spring Valley’s points in her refuse-to-lose attitude.

Catholic’s Amaya Redd did her best to keep the loss from happening. She scored the final six points for the Irish, the last coming with 18 seconds left on a driving layup that tied the score at 54-54, setting the stage for the final bucket by Austin.

In addition to her 35 points, Austin had 11 rebounds and four assists. No other Panther hit double figures.

For Catholic, Redd scored 22 and grabbed eight rebounds. Maggie Frana scored 13.

SPRING GARDEN (Ala) (57): Ace Austin 10-23 9-14 35, Law 0-3 2-2 2, Lewis 1-2 0-0 3, Steward 2-5 0-0 6, Highfield 2-2 0-0 5, Jarrett 2-11 0-0 6. TOTALs; 17-46 11-16 57.

KNOX CATHOLIC (54): Swain 2-6 2-4 7, Minefield 1-3 0-0 2, Maggie Frana 5-11 0-0 13, Cook 0-1 0-0 0, English 2-7 0-0 6, Amaya Redd 10-16 2-4 22, Lucier 0-1 0-0 0. TOTALS: 22-51 4-8 54.

3-Point Goals: SG—12 (Austin 6, Steward 2, Jarrett 2, Lewis, Highfield). KC—6 (Frana 3, English 2, Swain).