GIRLS HOOPS: St. James wallops Montgomery Academy; PCA romps over Dallas County

Montgomery Academy’s Sophia Cho goes up for a shot against St. James defenders. (Tim Gayle)

By TIM GAYLE

There wasn’t much drama in Friday’s game between the Montgomery Academy girls and St. James. 

The Trojan defense held Montgomery Academy to one field goal over the first three quarters, cruising to a 26-point lead at the half on the way to a 52-14 win in the St. James gym. 

For a St. James team that reached the finals of a holiday tournament in Huntsville, won another one in Orange Beach and hasn’t lost a game in town since losing to Class 6A Park Crossing nearly a month ago, it was business as usual for a team that allowed the Eagles just three shots at the goal in the first quarter for an 18-0 lead.

Ava Card finished with 24 points, four rebounds and four assists and Natalie Barton had 10 points, five rebounds, four assists and six steals as the Trojans improved to 17-4. 

“I’m just proud of them,” St. James coach Katie Barton said. “I’ve got five seniors and we’ve got great senior leadership at practice. Ava’s having a great year, Natalie’s having a great year and I’ve got some young ones that are really stepping in and filling roles, so I’m happy with where we’re at.

“I kind of mixed up the lineup, mixed in some people with different people so we have to play together. I’m just proud of them all.”

St. James improved to 2-0 in 3A Area 6 play and is tied atop the area standings with Trinity, while Montgomery Academy and Alabama Christian both dropped to 0-2. 

E.G. Hines hit the only field goal for Montgomery Academy (4-12) in the first half and added another in the fourth quarter to finish with five points. Caroline Waller also had five points. 

St. James returns to action on Tuesday against Trinity. Montgomery Academy travels to Alabama Christian on Tuesday for an area game. 

St. James 74, Providence Christian 29

Ava Card scored 29 points to lead the Trojans to a 74-29 win over Providence Christian in the St. James gym on Saturday afternoon. 

Natalie Barton added 26 points, followed by Kaitlin Mitchell with nine.   

St. James (18-4) remains home to face Trinity in a big 3A Area 6 game on Tuesday. 

Prattville Christian 79, Dallas County 15

PRATTVILLE -- Kayden Carr had 21 points and four rebounds to help PCA remain unbeaten in 4A Area 5 play with a 79-15 rout of Dallas County in the PCA gym. 

Jenna McClendon added 15 points and five rebounds, followed by Avery Rogers with 11 points and four assists and Reagan Houston with 11 points. Baylee Rogers and Sydney Lee each added six points and four rebounds, while Laura Beth NeSmith scored five points. Ally Blankinchip led the Lady Panthers in assists and steals as she finished with four points, seven assists and seven steals. 

PCA (17-4, 2-0 in area play) will travel north to play Hoover on Monday at 5 p.m.

Trinity 82, Alabama Christian Academy 22

Francie Morris and Maddie Smith each had 22 points to lead the Wildcats to an 82-22 win over Alabama Christian on Friday night in the ACA gym.

Morris finished with 22 points, eight assists and seven steals, while Smith had 22 points, seven assists, four steals and four rebounds. Ellie Causey added 13 points and three assists, Mya Moskowitz had nine points, Emory Causey had eight points and Lilly Smith had six points, eight rebounds and five assists. 

Trinity improved to 2-0 in 3A Area 6 play and is tied with St. James atop the standings, followed by ACA (0-2) and Montgomery Academy (0-2).

Trinity (16-3) travels to St. James on Tuesday, then to Montgomery Academy on Friday for a pair of area games. ACA plays host to Montgomery Academy on Tuesday.  

Catholic 74, LAMP 9

Hannah Smith had 23 points, eight rebounds and seven steals to lead the Knights to an easy 4A Area 4 victory on Friday.

Heaven Bailey added 22 points, 11 steals and seven assists, followed by Kierstyn Green with 10 points.

Catholic improved to 2-0 in 4A Area 4 play. The Knights (7-10) travel to Union Springs to play Bullock County in an area game on Tuesday.

Park Crossing 71, Pike Road 51

Park Crossing snapped the Patriots’ 13-game winning streak, defeating Pike Road 71-51 on Friday in a 6A Area 3 game in the Park Crossing gym.

Audrey Blaine led the Patriots with 13 points and seven rebounds. Jazz Johnson chipped in with 12 points and nine rebounds, Erica Burton had nine points and Madison Triche had eight. 

The Patriots (17-3) return to action on Tuesday at JAG.

Lakeside School 52, Crenshaw Christian 11

EUFAULA -- Chloe Helms scored 25 points to lead the Chiefs to an easy 41-point win over the Cougars on Thursday night in the Lakeside gym. 

Sophie Seaborn added nine points for Lakeside, followed by Addysen Ericksen with six.  

The Chiefs open region play at home against Abbeville Christian Academy on Tuesday.