By Shannon Fagan, WEIS Sports Director
BIRMINGHAM – Shortly after steamrolling fifth-ranked R.C. Hatch on Monday at the Class 1A Final Four in Birmingham’s Legacy Arena 81-34, Spring Garden girls basketball coach Ricky Austin got a little emotional talking about what winning another championship would be like.
“Ah, that’s a hard one to answer,” Coach Austin responded, his eyes welling up with tears.
Enter daughter and senior point guard Ace Austin.
“I’ll talk for him,” she said. “It’s been a fun run. Going back before I played, I told him many times ‘We’re going to be down here multiple times.’ We had just lost one time and I said ‘Don’t worry dad, I’ve got you in a couple of years.’”
“Good assist,” Coach Austin said.
Coach Austin has come to expect Ace’s help.
For the past three-plus years, Ace has had her father and coach’s back. After earning a triple double against R.C. Hatch on Monday with 32 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists and five steals, the top-ranked Lady Panthers are on the cusp of winning their third straight and 10th in the program’s history. They’ll play Brilliant on Thursday at 4 p.m.
“It means a lot to be here again, but really for the community,” Ace said. “We’ve had great support. We really don’t do it for ourselves. We do it for the name that’s across our chest. We’ve had rings in the past, but we don’t care about that. We care about giving our community something to come out and watch.”
Ace and her teammates gave Lady Panther fans something to watch on Monday. Coach Austin said his five seniors had the green light, and light up the scoreboard they did.
Spring Garden (36-1) jumped out to a 32-8 lead at the end of the first quarter and led 51-15 at halftime. By the end of the third quarter, their advantage swelled to 72-23.
Olivia Law delivered 19 points, three rebounds, three assists and three steals for the Lady Panthers. Maggie Jarrett added 16 points, six boards, six assists and a pair of steals.
Lacie McMurray managed six points on a pair of 3-pointers. Kristen Lewis finished with five points.
Breoynce Myers led the Lady Bobcats with 12 points. Damerria Bates scored 10 points and grabbed four boards. Jakobia Ross finished with eight points, four steals and three rebounds.
“I’m very proud of how we came out today,” Coach Austin said. “We came out with a lot of energy and excitement, but it was still businesslike. I’m very impressed with this group of seniors and how they’ve handled this whole year, being so businesslike.”
And now, there’s one business trip left for the Lady Panthers.
“It’s hard to talk about because it’s down to one, the last one,” Coach Austin said. “It’s the right one, but it is emotional going into your last game with this group. It’s going to be a day full of emotions for sure.”
