ORRVILLE — The Keith Lady Bears jumped out a commanding lead and coasted to a 73-7 victory over Ellwood Christian in the first round of the class 1A, area 5 tournament.

With the win, the Bears advanced to Friday’s championship game, where they will face Sunshine, who defeated Akron in Tuesday’s other semifinal. Keith also assured itself of reaching the sub-regional round again, something the team has done consistently under coach Cecil Williams.

“They came out and played real well and real hard in the first quarter,” Williams said. “We played pretty good defense and really played together as a team. We spread the ball around a lot and everybody got a chance to play.”

Ellwood actually scored the first basket Tuesday to take a 2-0 lead, but the score may have only fired up the Lady Bears. Keith scored the final 42 points of the first quarter, which Williams said may be a school record. The most points a girls team has ever scored in a quarter is 62 by Greensboro in 1990-1991, followed by 52 by Butler in 1997-98.

Harriet Winchester scored 20 points in the first quarter, which ties her for eighth in AHSAA history for points in a quarter. The record belongs to Carrollton’s Pam Duncan, who scored 25 against Pickens County and Akron during the 1993-1994 season.

“When her mind is set, she can put up some points,” Williams said of Winchester. “She can really play, offensively and defensively. She’s an all-around player when she puts her mind to it.”

Keith led 59-4 at the half and then limited the Eagles to just three points in the second half.

Winchester led the way for the Bears with 23 points and Shatavia Moore added 24.

Keith will take on Sunshine in Friday’s championship game at 6 p.m. The Lady Tigers were the last time to beat Keith.

 

Sunshine 75, Ellwood Christian 48 (boys)

ORRVILLE — Ellwood Christian saw its season come to an end Tuesday in a 75-48 loss to No. 1 Sunshine in the first round of the class 1A, area 5 tournament.

The Eagles led 12-2 early but Sunshine scored 23 of the final 28 points of the opening quarter to take a 25-17 lead. From there, the Tigers were in command.

Sunshine led 41-27 at the half and 60-37 after three quarters.

“We’re very disappointed but there are so many bright spots for next year,” Ellwood Christian coach Darrell Walker said. “We have a lot of seniors leaving out, but we have a lot of core guys coming from the B-team and a lot of young guys [coming up].”

C.J. Grimes scored 18 points to lead the Eagles in scoring. Walter Jones Jr. scored 16 points to lead Sunshine.

 

Monroe County 45, Southside 30 (Girls)

The Southside Lady Panthers saw their season come to an end Tuesday in a 45-30 loss to Monroe County at Clarke County High School.

 

Selma 45, Demopolis 39 (Boys)

Selma wrapped up its regular season Monday with a  45-39 victory over Demopolis.

Dexter Hatcher led the way for the Saints with 21 points. Aderick Moore added 11 points for the Saints as the only other Selma player in double figures.

Selma will play Hillcrest at Paul Bryant Thursday night in the first round of the class 6A, area 6 tournament.

 

Selma 32, Demopolis 20 (Girls)

Areyana Williams scored 12 points Monday to lead Selma to a 32-20 victory over Demopolis.

The win gave Selma 20 wins in a season for the twelfth consecutive season.

Selma will host Chilton County Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the first round of the class 6A, area 6 tournament.