GDW Analysis:
BIRMINGHAM: Hazel Green Lady Trojans will not be in the AHSAA 6A championship game.
The Lady Trojans were edged by Park Crossing 56 to 54 with the contest being decided in the final 2 seconds of a 2nd overtime Wednesday morning.
Senior Saniya Jackson scored from the FT line to finish the semifinal with 32 points, 12 of 17 from the line and 9 of 23 in total FGs.
Park Crossing came up with a miracle as the Thunderbirds were down three and Hazel Green's talented junior Kristen Johnson at the line and a chance to close out victory for the Lady Trojans.
The NW Regional MVP, who shot well at the line in the regional championship, missed both, giving Park Crossing a chance to come down, knock a three and send the game into OT tied at 41 to 41.
Both struggled scoring in the first extra frame. Then in the 2nd OT, every time Hazel Green got the lead, Park Crossing answered.
Hazel Green got the numbers locked in at 54/54 when Johnson drove and scored from close range.
Park Crossing then executed the game winning play as Hazel Green was called for a blocking foul when Jackson made her move going toward the goal.
Free throw shooting hurt Hazel Green. They were only 3 of 8 in the OT with Johnson having four critical misses and two failed tries by Brett Douglas.
Johnson did score 21, but ended the semifinal 9 of 14 from the line. Douglas went 0 for 2 and Madison Eddings from the post, scored only twice in five visits to the stripe.
Both teams shot 17 of 28 at the line. Park Crossing was 7 of 8 in the OT period, the difference for a victory by the No. 1 team in 6A hoops, not the No. 2 Lady Trojans.
Hazel Green came in as the AHSAA champion in this class from 2018 to 2024. They finish with a 27 & 9 record on the season.
Park Crossing has won 14 in a row and stands 33 & 1 with a state title to play for this weekend at the BJCC.
Photo of Hazel Green guard Kristen Johnson (24) moving the ball downcourt vs. Park Crossing in the 6A Final Four Wednesday morning.
Photo courtesy of the AHSAA.
