Plainview senior Sawyer Kate Hulgan (13) is shown with a power move inside past two Jackson defenders. Hulgan, who set the NFHS national record for career 3-pointers earlier this season, finished with 23 points leading Plainview to the finals with a
62-30 win in the other 4A semifinals Tuesday at Legacy Arena. (AHSAA PHOTO | Cody Kanaday)
Plainview clinches the other spot beating Jackson 62-30
Good Hope downs Montgomery
Catholic to clinch 4A Finals
BIRMINGHAM – Good Hope High School rolled past Montgomery Catholic 61-45 Tuesday afternoon in the AHSAA Class 4A State Basketball Championships girls’ semifinals – sending the Raiders (29-6) into the finals for the third year in a row.
Sophie Konrad scored 20 points as Good Hope, coached by Justin Aby, dominated virtually from start to finish at the BJCC Legacy Arena battle. Catholic (24-7), coached by Courtney Ward, led the game for 34 seconds and the Raiders for 30:24.
The balanced scoring attack for Good Hope was a chief reason. Ella Gossett had 11 points, Luci Adams recorded a double-double with 10 points and a team-high 10 rebounds, and Ella Davis has 10 points and eight rebounds. The sharp-shooting Raiders were 14-of-16 at the foul line and made 7-of-24 3-point goals attempted, led 27-13 at the half built its biggest lead, 20 points, with 3:07 left to play.
The Lady Knights were led by Hannah Smith. She had a double-double with a game-high 14 rebounds and finished with 16 points and three blocked shots. Jordan Robinson chipped in 15 points with three assists and three steals.
Aby said his team’s balanced scoring has been one of reasons for his team’s success over the last three season. “Whenever we’re getting paint-touches, getting everyone involved in the offense, this team is really hard to stop,” said Aby.” There’s so many weapons. It’s not just one girl scoring. I like our chances at state.”
Good Hope’s win was the program’s 90th in the last three season – with just 14 losses. The Raiders will face Plainview (34-2), a 62-30 winner of Jackson in the other 4A girls’ semifinals, in the championship game at Legacy Arena Friday at 4 p.m.
“I’m often asked who my best player is, and I have 5 incredible ones up here,” he said. “On any given night, any one of them can go off and score points. The one thing they constantly bring is on the defensive side. I’m pleased with their efforts.”
PLAINVIEW 62, JACKSON 30: The Lady Bears (34-2) jumped out to a 23-6 lead Tuesday night after one quarter, led 45-16 at the half and played everyone in the second half to advance the 4A state championship game Friday.
Luke Griggs saw nine players crack the scoring column – with senior Sawyer Kate Hulgan leading the pack with 23 points, including two 3-pointers in just over 15 minutes of playing time in the contest. She set the NFHS National Record for career 3-pointers earlier in the regular season. Piper Anderson added 10 points, and Annalee Shrader had five points, five steals and five rebounds.
Jackson (21-9), coached by DeAsia Lee-Ezell, was led by Angel Powell, who had 10 points, nine rebounds and four steals.
The state tournament continues Wednesday with the remaining boys’ semifinals in 4A, followed by Classes 5A and 6A on Wednesday. Class 7A plays its semifinals Thursday with the Class 1A girls’ and boys’ finals beginning the Championships at 4 p.m., and 5:45 p.m., respectively. The remaining title games continue Friday and Saturday.
All semifinal games are being video livestreamed over the NFHS Network and WOTM.tv. The finals will also be live video streamed over the NFHS Network and shown live on the Alabama Public TV Network. Vince Earley of WOTM.tv is the executive producer for the broadcasts.
The AHSAA Radio Network, managed by Brett Pritchard and Randy Lee, is also broadcasting all 42 games this week over its statewide network. And for the first time in the state tournament’s modern history, schools can have their flagship radio stations produce and broadcast their games back to their own communities. A total of 18 schools and 17 radio stations are taking advantage of the opportunity.
AHSAA 2026 STATE BASKETBALL
CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT
AT BJCC Legacy Arena, Birmingham
TUESDAY, MARCH 3
CLASS 3A
3A Girls’ Semifinals
Saint James (32-4) 76, Mars Hill Bible (28-5) 56
Mobile Christian (22-10) 55, Glencoe (22-9) 42
3A Girls’ State Finals
Saint James (32-4) vs. Mobile Christian (22-10), Friday, March 6, 12:30 p.m.
3A Boys’ Semifinals
Montgomery Academy (27-7) 60, Lauderdale County (25-6) 50
Southside-Selma (22-6) 62, Whitesburg Christian (26-6) 60
3A Boys’ State Finals
Montgomery Academy (27-7) vs. Southside-Selma (22-6), Friday, March 6, 2:15 p.m.
CLASS 2A
4A Girls’ Semifinals
Good Hope (29-6) 61, Montgomery Catholic (24-7) 45
Plainview (34-2) 62, Jackson (21-9) 30
4A Girls’ State Finals
Good Hope (29-6) vs. Plainview (34-2), Friday, March 6, 4 p.m.
2A Boys’ Semifinals
Fairfield (25-10) 61, Deshler (24-8) 57
Jackson (24-1) vs. Ashville (30-3), Tuesday, March 3, 7:30 p.m.
4A Boys’ State Finals
Friday, March 6, 5:45 p.m.
(Story and scores provided by the AHSAA)
