GDW Analysis:
BIRMINGHAM: In how she performed in the Class 1A Final Four Monday, Spring Garden's Ace Austin has made it clear she is a solid choice to be named "Miss Basketball" after the 2024/25 season.
A 5'8" point guard, Austin delivered a rare triple double as Spring Garden romped over RC Hatch Monday afternoon 81 to 34.
Spring Garden is now 34 & 1 and will get unranked Brilliant in the state title game Thursday at 4:00 p.m.
Austin ripped the cords for 17 in the first period with SG moving out on top 32 to 8.
It was 51 to 15 at the half and 72 to 23 going into the 4th.
Austin nailed a three to start the last period and left the game with 5:42 remaining.
The senior who has committed to play at Alabama next year, finished with 32 points, 11 of 18 FGs, 5 of 9 threes, 5 of 5 FTs, 11 rebounds, 11 assists and five steals.
Her father and head coach, Ricky Austin, called it a business like outing for his squad.
His daughter loved having a triple double for she has been close in other games this season, not able to complete the task.
"We do it for the name that is on our chest," Ace said in the postgame conference.
Ace loved talking out distributing the ball to her teammates. Her 11 assists were more than the total of 5 from RC Hatch.
Alabama coach Kristy Curry took in this semifinal, a day after her Crimson Tide knocked off Auburn at Coleman Coliseum 66 to 50.
It is doubtful Curry will be able to see Austin in the state title game Thursday.
Curry and her Tide will be playing LSU in T-town at 8:00 p.m. February 27. Alabama is 22 & 6 and 9 & 6 in the SEC.
Photo of Spring Garden PG Ace Austin (1) attacking the RC Hatch defense Monday afternoon in Birmingham.
Photo courtesy of AHSAA.
