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NSM falls in state finals
Published February 26, 2010
BIRMINGHAM — North Sand Mountain's basket didn't have a lid on it in the fourth quarter, but it sure felt that way to head coach Michael Wilborn.
After NSM tied Friday's Class 2A girls basketball state championship game against Clements at 42-all with 6:57 to play, the No. 7-ranked Bison made just two field goals the rest of the way. Meanwhile, No. 2 Clements sank enough free throws to clinch a 57-50 victory.
The win gave Clements its first state title while NSM was left to wonder what could've been if not for its cold shooting spell.
"You're going to have games that you don't shoot well," Wilborn said. "Unfortunately we had one today."
NSM made just 17 of 55 shot attempts, a number that's deceiving at first glance. Clements, which features two six-foot post players and another that's 5-foot-11, blocked 14 NSM shots and altered several others.
"That was a big key to the game," Wilborn said. "They're so big we couldn't get the ball up over them. We'd run to the basket looking over our shoulder waiting for someone to block it."
NSM (28-7) trailed 42-37 to begin the fourth quarter, but a three-point play from Lauren Cummins and a layup from Lacy Huckabee tied the game at 42-all.
But Clements (34-3) took the lead for good on Jordan Beggs' 3-pointer with 6:05 remaining. From there, the Colts milked the clock, slowly extending their lead with free throws. Clements made 12 of 22 foul shots down the stretch to seal the win.
"They started taking time and time and time off the clock," Wilborn said.
Tournament MVP Daniesha Malone, a 6-foot freshman, finished with 24 points and 15 rebounds for Clements. She scored 19 points in the second half to help the Colts hold off several NSM rally attempts.
Chelsea Haggermaker, a 5-11 post player, scored 11 of her 13 points in the first half to help the Colts to an early lead. Clements led 19-14 after one quarter and 26-19 at halftime.
Clements also won the style of play battle, keeping NSM from establishing an up-tempo pace.
"We'd go through spurts when it was near (our pace)," Wilborn said, "but every time things would start going good (Clements) would make a play."
Huckabee finished with 16 points and five assists for NSM, while Emily Camp posted a double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds. Both were all-tournament selections. Cummins, a senior, finished with nine points and four rebounds while fellow senior Chelsea Ellison had six points.
Wilborn said his squad was disappointed in falling short of winning the program's first state championship, but added it won't dampen their accomplishments.
"Our goal all year was to get here, to get here and win (state), but I'm still very proud of them," he said. "They've worked and played hard all year. I couldn't ask for a better group."
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