For the second straight year, coach Mark Dukes and his Wilcox Central Jaguars are heading to Birmingham.

This time, the Jags are the defending champions.

Wilcox earned the return trip Friday night with a 47-39 win over Charles Henderson in Regional Final play at Troy State University.

All-American Michael Williams earned tournament MVP honors with a 19-point, five-rebound, four-assist performance.

Williams brought the house down late in the contest with a facial, rim-rocking slam over a defender.

Williams shot 8-of-17 from the field and hit 1-of-2 behind the 3-point arc.

The Jags led

10-8 after quarter, but trailed 18-17 at the half.

A 15-7 advantage in the third quarter proved to be the difference.

Center Yamene Coleman added 11 points and nine rebounds in the winning effort for the Jags.

Charles Henderson never could solve the Jags’ defense.

They shot an abysmal 2-of-20 from 3-point land and just 32 percent from the floor in the game.

Wilcox took advantage by pushing the ball inside.

They shot 43 percent from the field for the game, but just 8-of-20 from the foul line.

Anthony Price added eight points and eight rebounds for Central while Kedron Blue had five points.

Allen Crumpton and Andrew Witherspoon added two each.

For Henderson, Jason Swanson led with 12 points.

Quavian Lewis added 10 rebounds for Henderson and had four points.

Martese Carlisle and Terrance Hooten had seven points each in the losing effort.

Wilcox will play the Athens Golden Eagles Thursday at 10:30 a.m. in Birmingham.