Hazel Green exploded for a 24-0 first-quarter lead at home on Friday on the way to a 69-27 win over Cullman in a Class 6A sub-regional game at No. 1 Hazel Green. The win puts the six-time defending state champions into the Northwest Regional at Wallace State in Hanceville next week.

University of Alabama signee Leah Brooks scored the first 10 points of the game on the way to a team-best 18 points.

Kristen Johnson finished with 14 points for Hazel Green. Zyriah Price had 11, Amiya Redus added 10 and Sydney Steward contributed 7.

Ally Sharpe had a team-high 17 points for Cullman.

Despite the blowout win, Hazel Green coach Tim Miller said he saw several areas where the Trojans needed improvement.

“I still don’t think we’re playing up to where we need to be playing to right now,” Miller said. “We missed too many easy shots. We missed too many free throws. We missed too many layups. You can’t play like that and expect to keep winning basketball games.”

Brooks echoed her coach’s assessment.

“We missed a lot of layups and free throws and we’re going to work on that in practice,” Brooks said, “and make sure we get our 3s down and be more consistent, because the next game is going to be tougher than this.”

Johnson also pointed to how the Trojans can improve on their performance.

“I think (if) we can just keep energy up and keep talking we’ll be fine,” Johnson said.

– R. Sirvell Carter

In other sub-regional action from across the state:

GIRLS

CLASS 6A

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Minor 58, Mountain Brook 46

The Tigers jumped to a 14-5 first-quarter lead on the way to the win at Mountain Brook. Minor carried a 22-17 edge into halftime and pulled to a 44-34 third period advantage.

A trio of seniors led the winners with Kaelyn Gowdy tossing in 24 points. Gowdy made 10-of-13 free throws – 8-of-10 in the fourth quarter. She also had three 3-point buckets.

Quantrese Washington scored 17 for Minor with 11 in the second half. Ava Cameron added 8 points in the win.

Junior Libby Geister led Mountain Brook with 13 points with 8 in the third period and three 3-pointers on the night. Senior Sarah Passink added 12 points.

Minor will meet Huffman in the Northeast Regional at Jacksonville State University.

Huffman 47, Gadsden City 40

The Vikings advanced to their fourth straight Sweet 16 with the home win over Gadsden City.

Jamiria Jones led Huffman with 22 points. Tamiria Jones scored 8 points in the win and Breonna Robbins added 7.

The Vikings will meet Minor in the Northeast Regional at Jacksonville State University.

CLASS 5A

Jasper 67, East Limestone 41

The top-ranked Vikings coasted into the Northwest Regional at Wallace State-Hanceville with the rout of East Limestone at home.

Missy Odom led Jasper with 20 points and 8 rebounds. Mia Hollingsworth knocked down five 3-pointers on her way to 17 points in the win. Idaysia Mercer scored 17 points and had 6 assists for Jasper.

Gulf Shores 47, Rehobeth 16

The Dolphins raced to a 23-8 halftime lead and coasted into the South Regional Sweet 16 in Montgomery with the win at home. Gulf Shores held Rehobeth to 2 points in both the second and third quarters.

Maya Griffin led fifth-ranked Gulf Shores (27-6) with 12 points and 3 assists. Sophomore Taylor Bjorgam came off the bench to hit all three of her 3-point attempts to finish with 9 points. Keyona Royal added 7 points in the win.

CLASS 4A

Prattville Christian 61, Northside 19

Second-ranked and three-time defending state champion Prattville Christian dominated Northside at home on Friday to advance to the Central Regional in Birmingham.

Kayden Carr poured in 30 points and grabbed 8 rebounds to lead the Panthers. Avery Rogers scored 23 points with 4 rebounds and 4 steals for PCA. Leah Cate Wilson hauled in 8 rebounds and Ally Blankinchip had 6 in the win.

Prattville Christian, winners of two straight state titles in Class 3A before earning the title in 4A last year, improved to 25-7 on the year.

Priceville 67, St. John Paul II 29

The No. 6 Bulldogs improved to 18-12 on the year with the road win at St. John Paul II.

Abby Langlois scored 23 points to lead Priceville. She also grabbed 8 rebounds and had 3 steals and 3 blocked shots. Lillyan Bloodworth scored 13 in the win with 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals. Madalyn Williams scored 10 points and had 5 steals in the win. Gracin Prater scored 7 points and had 7 steals with 5 rebounds and 3 assists.

Elena Nunez led St. John Paul II with 10 points.

Priceville will play Hamilton in the Northwest Regional at Wallace State-Hanceville.

CLASS 3A

Lauderdale County 77, Carbon Hill 33

The top-ranked Tigers ran their record to 27-1 on the year with the win at home on Friday over Carbon Hill. Lauderdale County jumped to a 24-6 first-quarter lead and led 45-15 at the half.

Shila Marks led Lauderdale County with 24 points. Sunnie Cerezo scored 7 for Carbon Hill.

Lauderdale County will play Midfield at Wallace State-Hanceville in the Northwest Regional Sweet 16 next week.

Susan Moore 76, Weaver 30

The Bulldogs rolled into the Sweet 16 at Jax State with the rout at home on Friday.

Lani Smallwood led Susan Moore with 25 points. Mylie Butler added 13 in the win and Cesa Hernandez scored 10.

CLASS 2A

Sand Rock 74, LaFayette 30

Eighth-ranked Sand Rock rolled into the Sweet 16 at Jacksonville State with the home win over LaFayette. Sand Rock improved to 25-7 on the season.

Katelyn St.Clair pitched in 23 points with 6 rebounds, 7 assists and 5 steals for the Wildcats. Zoey Handy scored 19 points and had 4 steals. Peyton Johnson and Brylaina Holcomb added 7 points each in the win.

This post will be updated.