Susan Moore advances to AHSAA 3A Girls’ Title Game

BIRMINGHAM – Susan Moore High School has never won an AHSAA girls basketball state title.

The Bulldogs (30-4) will get their first chance after earning an 80-42 victory over Southside-Selma (21-7) in Tuesday’s AHSAA 100th State Basketball Championships Class 3A semifinals at Legacy Arena in Birmingham.

“To get this win means a lot,” Susan Moore’s Cyndal Holland said.

Susan Moore advances to play defending champion Prattville Christian in Friday’s championship game, set for 12:30 p.m. Prattville Christian defeated Plainview 53-36 in Tuesday’s other semifinal.

Prattville Christian also ended Susan Moore’s 2021 season, beating the Bulldogs in a state semifinal.

“We want another shot,” Susan Moore coach Natasha Smallwood said. “We do. We have a lot of respect for them. … We’re going to spend the next two days getting ready to make it the best 3A championship game it can be.”

Susan Moore built a 38-19 halftime lead over Southside and essentially put the game away with a 15-0 run in the third quarter.

Cali Smallwood led Susan Moore with 22 points and eight rebounds, and Lacy Floyd added 15 points, four assists and three blocked shots. Lani Smallwood added 15 points, and Kaitlyn Hill added three points, six assists and four steals.

Laterika Edwards led the Panthers with 13 points, and Khaleah Shanks added 10 points.

Play continues Tuesday with boys’ and girls’ semifinal play in Class 4A. Classes 6A and 5A played Wednesday and the Class 7A semis will be Thursday morning. Championship games begin Thursday after with 1A girls and boys. Class 2A, 3A and 4A finals will be Friday. Classes 5A, 6A and 7A will conduct those title games on Saturday.

AHSAA 2022 State Basketball Championships
Birmingham Legacy Arena, Feb. 28-March 5

TUESDAY’S RESULTS
CLASS 3A
Girls’ Semifinals

Prattville Christian (35-1) 53, Plainview (27-9) 36
Susan Moore (30-4) 80, Southside-Selma (21-6) 42
Boys’ Semifinals

Plainview (30-6)  59, Houston Academy (22-10) 44
Southside-Selma (21-9) vs. Winfield (30-5), Mar. 1, 1:30 p.m.

CLASS 4A
Girls’ Semifinals
Saint James (22-6) vs. New Hope (26-5), Mar. 1, 3 p.m.
Vigor (17-11) vs. Deshler (29-1), Mar. 1, 6 p.m.
Boys’ Semifinals

Saint James (16-6) vs. Jacksonville (26-5), Mar. 1, 4:30 p.m.
Escambia County (26-4) vs. Haleyville (24-7), Mar. 1, 7:30 p.m.