By Katie McElvy
Chambers 53, Wilcox 49
In the elite eight, Chambers was pitted against Wilcox. Everything seemed to be going Wilcox’s way as they led at the end of the first 15-6. The Rebels struggled both under the boards and getting shots to fall as they went to half down 17-24. Wilcox was able to maintain their seven point lead throughout the 3rd quarter ending the period up 32-39. The tide finally started to turn for the Rebels in the fourth. With less than two minutes left, Jordan Whaley hit back to back threes to give the Rebels a four point lead. The Rebels led by one point with just 50 seconds left in the game. Then, the Rebels found themselves in the bonus and were able to capitalize on free throws taking the win 53-49 to advance.
Caden Hayley was the leading scorer with 18 points followed by Kross Colley with 10, TY Trammell with 9, Jordan Whaley with 8, Jarquez Banks with 4, and Brayden Riley and Levi Waldrop with 2 points each.
Chambers 34, Escambia 33
In the final four, the Rebels faced Escambia, a team that Chambers often meets in postseason play. Escambia eliminated the Rebels in the elite eight just last year. Jordan Whaley opened the game with a three pointer, and TY Trammell followed with a fast break for a lay up. This aided Chambers in jumping out to a seven point lead, but the Cougars’ press started to wear down Chambers, and Escambia tied the game up with two minutes left in the quarter and took the lead 7-9 by the end of the first.
Escambia quickly extended their lead by 7 to start the second quarter, but another Whaley three followed by a Jarquez Banks’ steal and Trammell lay up helped the Rebels to chip away at the lead, pulling back within 4 points to end the half behind 12-16.
In the third period, Chambers was able to work the ball inside more, and the Cougars’ lead had diminished to a mere 2 points by the end of the third quarter with Chambers trailing just 24-26. Things got really interesting in the final quarter. Caden Hayley worked the ball down low to tie the game up. Yet another Whaley three gave Chambers the lead. The two teams traded the lead several times throughout the quarter. With the Rebels in the bonus, Hayley hit both of his free throws to put the Rebels on top by one. With 2.1 seconds left in the game, a Cougar double dribbled under the goal to give the Rebels the ball. All the Rebels had to do was throw the ball in bounds to take the remaining time off the clock, but that was not meant to be as the ball went sailing out of bounds untouched. With no time off the clock, the Cougars got the ball back. As Escambia threw the ball in, Trammell stole the ball as time ran out sending the Rebels to the championship game.
Jordan Whaley was the leading scorer with 15 points followed by Caden Hayley with 12. TY Trammell added 4 points, and Kross Colley had 3.
Chambers 43, Autauga 51
In the AISA Class AA Championship game, Chambers faced the unbeaten Autauga Generals. Autauga jumped out to a 2-6 lead, but Chambers was able to get rebounds and make good passes under the goal to take the lead 10-6 at the end of the first. To start the second quarter, the Generals went on an 8 point run to take the lead. The Autauga press started to give Chambers some trouble, but they were able to settle in and put some points on the board ending the half trailing 17-24.
A Whaley three midway through the third quarter pulled the Rebels within 3 points of the Generals, but Autauga was able to maintain its lead at the end of the quarter 28-35. In the fourth quarter, the Generals’ main focus was to take time off the clock, which they did successfully. They were also able to increase their lead to as much as 14 points at one time. However, the Rebels were not finished just yet. With well under a minute to go in the contest, Hayley hit a pair of free throws. The Generals were not able to inbound the ball and gave possession back to Chambers. Hayley pulled the three pointer and cut the lead to just 5 points. Unfortunately, the comeback would fall short, but the Rebels capped off a fantastic season bringing home a state runner up finish. Caden Hayley and Jordan Whaley were named to the All-Tournament Team.
