Lady Eagles Finish 30-2

The Montgomery County High School Lady Eagles played for the State Championship last Wednesday at the Coliseum in Macon against a private school, Greenforest Christian Academy, out of Decatur. Greenforest, the #1 team in the state, was full of international players, including two 6’4” girls and one 6’6” girl. The height of Greenforest was too much for MCHS as they fell in the Championship Game. MCHS played a good game and kept it close but were just outmatched.

It is notable to mention that next year private schools and public schools will play in separate State Championships in the GHSA. MCHS kicked off the scoring with a three-pointer by Trinity Wideman from the wing, and continued from page

then a three from Marley Bell put MCHS on top 6-0 early.

A basket and a three from Greenforest closed the lead to 6-5 with two minutes to play in the first quarter. Erin Adams made it 8-5 for MCHS, and that was the score at the end of the first quarter.

Early in the second quarter, Greenforest hit a three to tie the game, and then a free throw put them on top 9-8. A basket in the lane by Greenforest pushed their lead to 11-8 with just over four minutes to play in the half. Bell hit two free throws to make it 11-10, but they were up 14-10 with 1:40 on the clock.

Amire Banks closed it to 14-12 with 37 seconds left, and that was the score at the end of the first half with the Lady Eagles of Montgomery keeping pace with Greenforest. Early in the second half, Wideman hit another three to put MCHS back on top, 15-14. Bell increased the lead to 1614 with six minutes to go, but their 6’6” center tied the game at 16-16. Greenforest went back in front with a put-back after another rebound. Their center started to take over the game as they pushed their lead to 20- 16.

It was 22-16 with 3:49 left in the third and then Bell hit three free throws to close the lead to 20-19. After a basket by them, Banks tied the game with a three from the corner at 22-22 with 1:40 on the clock. Greenforest took the lead back with 30 seconds left, and at the end of the third they were up 26-22 over MCHS.

Early in the fourth, it was a 30-22 lead with 6:40 left to play in the game. It was 32-22 with 6:20 left to play, and things were not looking good for Montgomery as the height of Greenforest was causing problems for them. Banks got a runner to fall and then Bell closed it to 32-26 with a nice move in the lane. But a steal and basket by Greenforest made it 3426.

It was 34-28 after a basket by Bell, but Greenforest was up 3628 with just one minute remaining. MCHS tried to foul to stay in the game, but free throws by Greenforest gave them a 39-28 win over Montgomery.

Bell led the Eagles of Montgomery with 13 points, with Banks adding 7, and Wideman 6. MCHS finished the season with a record of 30-2 in one of the best seasons in school history. It has been aproximately 30 years since the Lady Eagles have plyed for a State Championship. MCHS will be losing seniors Marly Bell, Amire Banks, Zaire Nobles, and Ash’Mira Moye.

Amire Banks drives in and gets a shot up and around Greenforest’s big center.Photo by Mike Branch

Trinity Wideman fires up a three-pointer during the State Championship Game.Photo by Mike Branch