Kingwood Christian kept its playoff hopes alive in a rivalry game that pitted two of the top AISA girls players in Shelby County Friday night.

The Lions came away with a key region win with the 61-53 overtime victory.

Kingwood was able to keep Kirby Johnson, CVA’s 2000-career-points scorer, in check while Phillips, who entered her sophomore season with more than 1,400 career points, exploded for 32 in the contest.

&uot;I just knew we had to win,&uot; Phillips said. &uot;It was really big for the Area and I know (Coosa Valley) really wanted it.&uot;

Phillips’ solid shooting from the free-throw line helped Kingwood pull away in the overtime period after Johnson sunk one of her two free-throw attempts near the end of regulation to tie the game at 48 and force the extra period.

Kayla Cates had 12 points and 11 rebounds for Kingwood (11-5).

Molly Brasher led Coosa Valley (14-6) with 18 points and 17 rebounds. Erica Hurst had 16 points and 17 rebounds for the Rebels.

Montevallo 49, Chelsea 35: Montevallo jumped out to a 16-2 lead in the first period and held on to win behind 15 points from Laquisha Brown. Charlie Bowman had 10 points, six rebounds and three assists for Chelsea.

Shelby County 28, Chelsea 25: Freshman Kayla Williams led the Wildcats to the win with 18 points. Melissa Beard had eight points and Morgan Arnold had eight rebounds for Chelsea.

Chelsea 46, Vincent 34: Lindi Thompson led Chelsea with 19 points and nine rebounds while Charlie Bowman added 14 points. Tonia Dates scored 16 points for Vincent.

Evangel 67, Garywood Christian 23: Evangel Christian of Helena jumped out to a 30-0 first quarter lead, then coasted to a 67-23 victory in a Central Alabama Christian Conference game. Sophomore point guard Ruth Ketcham scored 17 points and dished out five assists to lead the Lightning, and Jana Motes notched 15 points and 7 rebounds.

Evangel 68, Tuscaloosa Home 23: Ruth Ketcham’s 15 points paced five Evangel players who scored in double figures, as the Lightning jumped out to a 23-0 first quarter lead and dominated throughout the 68-23 win over Tuscaloosa Home Educators on Friday night. The Lightning improved their season record to 14-3 with the win. Hannah Letson had 12 points, Sarah Letson, 11, Anna Walker, 10, and Amber Tedeton

had 10 points and 12 rebounds.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Oak Mountain 52, Vestavia 27: Tyler Gallimore led the Eagles with 11 points, five assists and two steals. Chace Tomlinson had nine points and three rebounds, while Micah McKinney and Thomas Nordyke each had seven points for the Oak Mountain.

Oak Mountain 30, Mountain Brook 27: Andrew Chesney’s 10 points and six rebounds helped lead the Eagles (20-4) to the win. Thomas Nordyke had seven points for OMHS, while Tyler Gallimore had four assists