A close state semifinal boys basketball game was broken wide open by one of the state’s best shooters. Mars Hill Bible senior guard Tate Barrier scored 16 points in only 19 minutes off the bench to lead the Panthers to a 63-51 win over Houston Academy on Tuesday at Birmingham’s Legacy Arena.

Barrier made his first four 3-pointers and converted all four throws after Houston Academy technical fouls to pace the Panthers. Mars Hill will now face either Glencoe or Montgomery Academy in Friday’s 2:15 p.m. Class 3A state championship game. Mars Hill will be looking to repeat as state champions after claiming the 2A title a year ago.

“The more difficult the challenge, the more these guys seem to thrive,” said Mars Hill coach Jeremy Pounders. “At the half, I told them it more about what we were doing than anything else.”

The first quarter was back and forth, with no team leading by more than 4 points. Mar Hills (24-8) raced to a 27-18 lead three minutes before halftime when Barrier made a 3-pointer. But the Raiders answered with a 6-0 run to end the half. Jacksonville State quarterback signee Kadyn Mitchell converted a layup and made the only two free throw attempts of the half for HA to close the halftime deficit to 27-24.

Houston Academy (19-5) pulled even at 31 with 2:59 left in the third quarter when a technical foul led to a 5-point possession by the Panthers. The lead quickly ballooned to 46-33 on a transition 3 by Barrier. The lead was never less than 9 points in the fourth quarter.

“I know my job is to shoot the ball when I’m open,” said Barrier, who finished a point shy of his season high of 17 against Decatur Heritage. “My teammates did a great job of getting me the ball.”

Mitchell led Houston Academy with 24 points. Fellow Jacksonville State football signee Gabe Glover scored 15.

Three players joined Barrier in double figures for Mars Hill: Sam Sweat scored 14, Winn Crook netted 13 and Brooks Campbell added 11.

Star of the game: It was Barrier’s turn in the spotlight this game, but the Panthers’ balanced attack was on display again.

Stat sheet: Mars Hill shot 44.4 percent from the field while hitting eight 3-pointers. Houston Academy shot 38.8 percent and made 4-of-16 from beyond the 3-point arc.

Did you know? Mars Hill also beat Houston Academy in the football state championship game, 50-44.

Did you know, Part 2? Mars Hill senior Cannon Pigg has been a key member of the Mar Hill team all season even after tearing the ACL in his right knee during the football season. Pigg, who has signed with Samford as a tight end, played the last 11 seconds of Tuesday’s win.

Coachspeak: “I’m proud of our guys. We started the season 6-4 then had a 13-game winning streak. These guys kept working and kept getting better after missing the first month because of making the football championship game.” – Houston Academy coach Ron Watson

“There’s been a lot of talk about defending a state championship. But we want to keep attacking and go get another one.” – Mars Hill’s Pounders