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By TYLER RALEY | Staff Writer

TUSCALOOSA – Staring a familiar challenge in the eyes, the Thompson Warriors were determined to get past a stage of the season that has plagued them for the better part of the last decade. Luckily for them, that’s exactly what they did.

Thompson defeated the Prattville Lions 58-56 on Wednesday, Feb. 5 at Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa High School, earning its first berth into the Class 7A state playoffs since 2016.

With the season on the line for both squads, a tight game was expected, and that was exactly what happened.

The first quarter got underway with a variety of scoring from each team. Warriors senior leader Destinee Ealy and sophomore Jordyn Smith both put up a pair of two-pointers, while Braelyn Castille also knocked down a two-point bucket. 

Thompson also got a burst of energy thanks to a 3-pointer from Kayla Russell. However, that would be its only deep shot of the night, with the production largely inside.

Prattville responded with a challenge though, as five different scorers helped it to put up 14 points in the first period. The Lions’ efforts were led by senior Jaina Misigah, who scored five points with a 3-pointer included, which ultimately allowed them to have a 14-13 lead after eight minutes of action.

The Warriors came back out in the second maintaining their toughness. Four different players scored in the period, with Sydney Coney leading things for her team with four points. Smith also played a big role in the quarter, hitting three of her four free throws, taking points where she could get them.

Prattville matched the energy, also putting up tough shots. Jayla West-Young hit another big 3-point shot for the Lions, while Keleigh Mullins dropped four of her own. This helped Prattville put up 11 points in the quarter, maintaining a one-point lead heading to the break at 25-24.

The game got more physical in the second half, as both teams saw a lot of free throw opportunities come up in the third quarter. Ealy got four attempts from the charity stripe for Thompson, knocking down all of her shots.

However, off the line, Coney continued to produce for the Warriors, as the sophomore contributed seven more to her total, helping lead her team to score 15 points in the quarter.

The Lions kept things going on their side as well, seeing eight attempts at the line and converting on six of those. West-Young also hit another 3-pointer, allowing Prattville to maintain momentum and keep a one-point lead as the final quarter began.

Mullens and Dayana Lewis took control of things from that point on for the Lions, scoring 14 of the team’s 16 points to close things out. However, only converting on three of eight free throws as a team in the fourth hurt Prattville, which Thompson ultimately capitalized on.

The Warriors scored 18 points in the quarter with help from six different players, led by five points each from Russell and Castille. More importantly, Thompson converted on six out of its seven free throws, which ultimately made the difference in this one and punched its ticket into the Class 7A state playoffs.

Coney led the way on the scoreboard for the Warriors with 13 points. Three more players also scored in double figures on the night with Ealy, Russell and Castille each dropping 11. Smith also contributed well, adding nine to her season total.

With the win, Thompson moves onto the Class 7A, Area 5 championship game to take on the Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa Patriots, which will be played on Friday, Feb. 7 at 6 p.m. at Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa High School.