SPORTS LEDGER Established 2006 The March 2026 Page 7 Read More Online at www.thesportsledger.com
By Brandon K. Pierce The Sports Ledger The Plainview Varsity Girls Basketball program has advanced to the 2026 AHSAA State Basketball Tournament. The Lady Bears defeated Cherokee County 55-50 in the championship game of the Northeast Regional Tournament on Monday, February 23 to earn the right to compete for this year’s state title. Cherokee County slipped ahead of the Lady Bears early, taking a 15-11 advantage after the opening quarter. However, the rest of the Regional Championship game belonged to Plainview. The Lady Bears pulled ahead 26- 23 at halftime, and outscored the Lady Warriors in both second half periods by one point to seal the 55-50 victory. Sawyer Kate Hulgan paced Plainview with 25 points, five rebounds, one block and one steal. Jaxon Bruce scored nine points, had four rebounds, and three steals. Miley Dukes and Taegen Whitmire scored six points each. Whitmire also recorded five of the team’s 14 steals. AnnaLee Shrader scored five points, Brenlie Griggs added three points, and Lily Currie chipped in one in the championship win. Deannia Starr recorded a double-double for Cherokee County with 13 points and 13 rebounds. Ellison Givens was the points leader for the Lady Warriors with 16 points, eight rebounds, and two steals. Nevaeh Gaidurgis also reached double digits in 10 points. Taniya Fife scored seven points, Brooklyn Bruce had three points, and Macy Lea chipped in one point. Cherokee County finished the 2026 season with a 31-3 record. Plainview improved to 33-2 and advanced to the State Tournament. According to the AHSAA online bracket, the Bears will play Jackson at 6 p.m. on March 3 at the BJCC in Birmingham. Plainview Girls Advance To Final Four
Photo By Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger
Fort Payne Advances to Final Four By Brandon K. Pierce The Sports Ledger foul shots count in the fourth quarter to seal the regional championship victory.
JACKSONVILLE - The Fort Payne Lady Wildcats won the Class 6A Northeast Regional Girls Basketball Tournament with a 52-37 victory over Mountain Brook on Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at Jacksonville State University. With the win, the Lady Wildcats improved to 27-4 and advanced to the upcoming ASHAA State Final Four Basketball Tournament in Birmingham. Fort Payne will face Park Crossing at noon on March 4, 2026. Mountain Brook led by two points early, but that lead faded quickly as Fort Payne pulled ahead 13-10 at the end of the opening quarter. The Lady Wildcats never trailed again as the program scored 13 points in the second quarter for a 26-16 advantage at halftime. Fort Payne was clutch from three point range late in the third quarter and the Lady Wildcat's made their
Zimri Craig paced the Lady Wildcats with 22 points, four assists and two blocks. She was also 12 of 16 from the foul line and made two three-point baskets. Teammate Zaria Craig made five 3-pointers for 15 points. Naomi Wise also reached double-digits with 10 points. Lucy Weatherly scored four points and Kinsley Worthey had one point for Fort Payne. To reach the Regional Championship round, Fort Payne defeated Oxford 58-35 in the semifinals. Wise led Fort Payne with 20 points and seven rebounds, and three steals. Zimri Craig also reached double-digits with 14 points. Zaria Craig and Carley Cash chipped in six point each. Claire Carter and Emma Rogers both scored three points. Kinsley Worthey, Lucy Weatherly, and Nataleigh Phillips had two points each in the win.
Geraldine Boys Fall to Whitesburg Christian in Regional Semifinals
By Brandon K. Pierce The Sports Ledger
The Geraldine varsity boys basketball team fell to Whitesburg Christian 55-40 in the opening round of the 2026 Northeast Regional tournament on Wednesday, Feb. 18 at Jacksonville State University. Geraldine had an early lead but let it slip away, as the Bulldogs trailed 11-7 after the first quarter. Geraldine was never able to recover in the game. Cooper Johnson paced the Bulldogs with 19 points and seven rebounds. Noah Butler had eight points and Braxton Franklin scored five points. Ridge Smith and AJ Carter contributed three points each. Eli Schlageter had two points for Geraldine. Reid Winton led Whitesburg Christian with 19 points. Teammate Mason Tripp also reached double digits with 10 points.
Photo By Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger
Plainview's Taegan Whitmire (#11) had four defensive steals against West Limestone and five steals in the Class 4A Northeast Regional Championship game against Cherokee County.
Photo By Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger
Geraldine's AJ Carter (#5) passes the ball during the Northeast Regional Tournament.
Photo Courtesy of Amanda Chastain Photography
The Guntersville Lady Wildcats won the Class 5A Northwest Regional Championship with a 57-42 victory over West Point. With the win, Guntersville advanced to the AHSAA Final Four in Birmingham. The Lady Wildcats open the state tournament at 3 p.m. on March 4 against Briarwood Christian. Class 5A Girls Northwest Regional Champions
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