HANCEVILLE, ALA. – Both Wallace State basketball teams have advanced to the Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC) Tournament championship game.
The Lady Lions notched a 61-58 overtime victory over Bishop State in the semifinal round on Thursday at Shelton State’s Umphrey Center, and the men later followed with a 77-58 triumph against Chattahoochee Valley.
It’s the first time both programs have advanced to the title game in the same season since 2011-2012.
In the women’s game, Kyra Long had a pair of huge buckets in overtime and Jazmyn Jackson drained four free throws in the final 49.5 seconds, securing the sixth straight victory for the Lady Lions.
The entire game was tight throughout as neither team controlled a double-digit lead. The teams were tied at 24-all at the half and 49-all at the end of regulation.
Wallace State, the North Division’s No. 2 seed, avenged a 15-point January loss to the South’s top-seeded Lady Wildcats.
“One of our plans was to keep them under 55 points, and we did that in regulation. We wanted to pack the lane and control (Cordasia) Harris. Our women never wavered from the plan and played incredible on both ends of the floor,” said women’s coach Jessica McBrayer, who earned her 100th career win at Wallace State after Tuesday’s semifinal win against Wallace Community College-Selma.
Payton Golden led Wallace State (18-11) in scoring with 14 points. Tamia Yancey finished with nine points and 11 rebounds and Camille Jenkins, the ACCC Player of the Week, added seven points.
After overcoming early-season injuries and attrition, Wallace State is in the ACCC Tournament title game for the second time in three seasons. The Lady Lions will face second-ranked Shelton State at 4 p.m. on Friday.
“Our women deserve every bit of this opportunity. They’ve battled all season and withstood multiple challenges. They’ve committed to the process and put themselves in a great position,” McBrayer said.
Men’s game
Wallace State 77, Chattahoochee Valley 58
Wallace State’s men dominated the second half, punching its ticket into Friday’s championship.
The Lions outscored the Pirates 42-25 over the final twenty minutes, advancing to its first ACCC Tournament title game in eight seasons. Wallace State nursed a 35-33 edge at the half.
Te’Derrius Williams, playing in his hometown, paced the Lions with 22 points. Jaylen Lemons scored 18 points, Kuran Garner finished with 17 and Nathan Moore added 14.
Wallace State (28-4) has won seven games in a row, avenging an earlier loss to the Pirates this season.
The Lions opened the tournament on Wednesday with a 64-55 victory over Wallace Community College-Selma.
Friday’s men’s championship is set for 6:30 p.m. The Lions will play either Shelton State or Coastal Alabama-South.
Wallace State women’s golf
Wallace State’s women’s golf captured its second championship in as many tournaments this spring, winning the WSCC Invitational this week at Cross Creek Golf Course. All five Wallace State golfers finished in the top 10.
Wallace State freshman Hope Harrell was the tournament’s individual low medalist – her second individual title this spring. The Guntersville native won the event by three strokes, carding a 14-over par 158 in the 36-hole tournament. Harrell shot a round-best 78 over the opening 18 holes.
Sophomore Hannah Sanders made her second All-Tournament team of the spring for the Lady Lions, finishing fourth overall with a 164.
Wallace State’s Abigail Baker finished sixth overall (173) and Abby Brown was two shots behind her.
Brileigh Roberts rounded out the Wallace State field, finishing 10th.
Wallace State’s next tournament March 13-15 at Calhoun.
Wallace State men’s golf
Wallace State sophomore Davis Aaron earned a spot on the All-Tournament team at the Stallion Invitational this week, finishing tied for fifth in Tifton, Ga. The tournament was hosted by Spring Hill College.
Aaron carded a nine-over par 225 (76-75-74), staying in contention throughout. He was only eight shots off the lead.
Wallace State’s Joshua Darracott placed 12th overall, finishing with a 232 (74-80-78), while Allen Michael Burnett was tied for 15th with a 236 (85-69-82).
George Law and Zackary Coker rounded out the Wallace State field.
Wallace State finished fourth overall as a club. The Lions’ 303 in the second round was the third-best score over those 18 holes.
The Lions’ next tournament is March 13-15 at Glenlakes Invitational in Foley.
Wallace State tennis
Wallace State’s women’s tennis team swept Snead State in a home conference match this week.
Martina Paillet (6-1, 6-1), Micah Oldacre (6-2, 6-0), Breanna Vann (6-1, 6-1) and Anna Knepper (6-2, 6-0) each notched singles victories.
In doubles, Paillet and Italia Jones earned a victory in addition to Vann and Oldacre.
Both Wallace State tennis teams travel to Coastal Alabama-South on Saturday.
For more information about Wallace State athletics, visit www.athletics.wallacestate.edu or the athletics Facebook page at www.wallacestate.edu/athleticsfb.
