For Banks Academy, it was more than just a game.

The east Birmingham private school, now in its fourth year as an AISA program, made the most of its first-ever trip to the final four by defeating Escambia Academy 58-51 in the AISA Class A finals to win the school’s first championship at the Multiplex at Cramton Bowl on Friday.

“It means a lot to us,” said Banks senior Isaac Smith Jr. “Everybody doubted us. Nobody thought we were going to make it. We’ve come a long way. We put in the hard work every day.”

Smith was one of four Jets that played most of the second half with four personal fouls in a battle against the taller Cougars, with three of the four finishing the game. Smith had 14 points for Banks (15-6), followed by Tavarus Robinson with 13 and Artrell Cox with 10.

Ronta Watson led Escambia (18-3) with 23 points, while Quinton Odom had 15, including 11 in the fourth quarter.

CLASS A GIRLS: Lowndes Academy 45, Evangel Christian 18

The post tandem of senior Haley Briggs and sophomore Camryn Hess combined for 27 points to lead the Lowndes Academy girls to their second consecutive state championship at the Multiplex at Cramton Bowl on Friday.

“Last year, I lost my best defender (and) I lost my point guard, which was like 50 percent of our offense,” Lowndes coach Matt Marshall said. “I knew it was going to be a learning curve. It was never a thought that we were going to repeat. It was a goal, but it was never a thought it was going to be easy.”

Evangel (10-15) hit just three of 16 shots in the first half while suffering 14 turnovers as Lowndes (13-6) cruised to a 24-6 lead behind Briggs, who finished with 15 points, and Hess.

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