Mars Hill’s Cannon Pigg and Eli Pounders combined for 34 points as the top-ranked Panthers cruised to a 69-47 victory over Locust Fork in Monday’s Class 2A state semifinal at the BJCC’s Legacy Arena in Birmingham.

“I can’t brag enough on these guys,” Mars Hill coach Jeremy Pounders said. “Anytime I challenge them or ask them to do something, they give everything they got to do whatever is asked. They were challenged at the half and they responded. I couldn’t be more proud of them.”

Mars Hill (26-2) shot out to a 5-0 lead in the first two minutes of action and took control on a 9-0 run powered by Carson Thrasher and an old-fashioned 3-point play from Pigg.

The Panthers led 16-7 entering the second period, surging ahead on two 3-pointers from Eli Pounders, but allowed Locust Fork to trim the halftime deficit to 8 points with a 7-0 run that was answered on a pair of free throws from Sam Sweatt in the final minute of the first half.

Levi White cut the lead down to 30-24 on a layup to open the second half, but Locust Fork never came closer as Pigg and Pounders answered on back-to-back trips for a 5-0 spurt and a 35-26 advantage early in the third quarter. The Hornets were unable to score consecutive buckets in the third quarter and Tanner Caudle and Pigg combined for another 5-0 run to push the lead to double digits entering the final period.

Locust Fork (22-7) was held without a field goal for 3:23 during the final period as the Panthers pulled away on a 13-3 run. Jalon Boatright scored the last two buckets of the game inside the final two minutes and were the only two baskets scored in succession by the Hornets.

Star of the game: Pigg. The 6-foot-6 junior finished with 15 points, 9 rebounds and a block and a steal. He was 6-of-8 from the field and 3-for-3 at the foul line and converted a key and-1 opportunity during a 9-0 run late in the first period.

Stat sheet: Mars Hill – Pounders had a game-high 19 points, including 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 4 steals, and Sweatt had 11 points, 2 rebounds and 2 steals. Thrasher finished with 13 points and 4 rebounds and Caudle had 7 points and 5 rebounds. JO Owens contributed 4 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists. Locust Fork – Levi White led the Hornets with a team-high 16 points, with 8 rebounds and 2 assists, and Titus White had 10 points, 5 rebounds and 2 steals. Jalon Boatright finished with 8 points and a game-high 10 rebounds and Nicholas Horn added 4 points and 4 rebounds. Eli McNutt and Jahmad Jackson had 3 points each.

By the numbers: The Panthers shot 51 percent and held Locust Fork to 28.6 percent overall, including a 4-of-19 showing from 3-point range. The rebounding battle was an even split, 37-37, and Mars Hill scored 21 points off 16 turnovers.

Did you know? Mars Hill advances to its fourth title game in program history. The Panthers are 0-3 in championship games with the latest appearance coming in the 2022 season.

Coachspeak: “We’re a pretty big team and we want to play physical. Our focus with our defense is to take away (the other team’s) strength. We watched film and saw that. They wanted to respond to that energy and make sure that our energy is greater than anybody else on the other team.” – Mars Hill’s Jeremy Pounders

“I’m blessed to have these guys and the team we had this season. They’re not defined by this failure. First time in Blount County history that a boys’ team made the final four and it’s a great accomplishment. I love the journey we were on and we hate that it ended. But everybody’s journey was going to end except for whoever wins the state championship.” – Locust Fork’s Brad Deaver

They said it: “Coach challenged us to go out there and get the ball. We accepted that challenge and focused on that in practice. We executed it.” – Cannon Pigg

“I’ve never been here before because it’s my first year. I haven’t really experienced this yet but I know these guys are really hungry for it. I’m just happy to be a part of that.” – Eli Pounders

“We want it bad. We’ve gotten right there to it and just haven’t been able to get it yet. But we’re getting it this year.” – Carson Thrasher

Next Up: Mars Hills advances to face either Highland Home or No. 2 Lafayette in the Class 2A title game at 10:45 a.m. on Friday at the BJCC’s Legacy Arena.