NW Regional girls: Missy Odom helps Jasper hold off Madison Academy
Missy Odom scored 17 points and pulled down 11 rebounds as Jasper held on to defeat Madison Academy 51-48 in the Class 5A Northwest Regional girls semifinals on Tuesday in Hanceville.
The Vikings (31-2) used a 23-15 run in the second and third quarters to take control of the game. They held a 22-10 advantage in the paint.
Odom also had four steals and three assists.
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“Madison Academy has a strong tradition,” Jasper coach Blake Laney said. “We knew it was going to be tough. We knew they weren’t going to give up. I didn’t really like how we played offense in the first half. We didn’t take advantage of our athleticism.”
Late in the second quarter, Jasper junior Mia Hollingsworth tied the game with one of her two 3-pointers. After a steal, Hollingsworth hit another 3 and was fouled. The run gave the Vikings a lead they would not relinquish.
Hollingsworth scored 10 points. Junior Idayasia Mercer handed out two assists and scored 12 points. She hit seven free throws in the fourth quarter to help hold off an MA rally.
“She’s been on varsity since seventh grade,” Laney said. “She’s been with me since the eighth grade. She stepped up when she had to. We’re super proud of her.”
Madison Academy sophomore Brooklynn Tucker scored 16 points to go along with four rebounds and two assists. Fellow sophomore Emily Mouser knocked down a game-high four 3-pointers, while senior Roslyn Rice finished the game with 11 points and three rebounds.
Jasper will now play Pleasant Grove at Wallace State at 12:30 p.m. Thursday in the Northwest Regional tournament final.