T.R. Miller girls coach Ronald Jackson will finish his Hall of Fame career at the final four next week.

Jackson, who announced his retirement after 41 years earlier this year, watched his Tigers build a 12-point lead Wednesday afternoon and then hold off a frantic final rally by rival Jackson to grab a 37-35 victory in the Class 4A South Regional title game at Garrett Coliseum in Montgomery.

“I wouldn’t give nothing for this team,” Jackson said. “They are not as big as a lot of folks, but they will scrap. I would go to fight with any one of them. I know they are going to lay it on the line.”

T.R. Miller (23-4) will play either Cherokee County or Anniston in the state semifinals at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Legacy Arena. Those two teams will decide the Northeast Regional title at Jacksonville State on Thursday.

Jackson has coached the Tigers’ girls team since 1992. His teams have won 24 total area championships with 15 earning a spot in the final four. Jackson coached girls state championships in 1995, 1996, 2002 and 2009 and was runner-up in 2004 and 2020.

“It will feel a little better if I win the whole thing,” he said when asked how it will feel to end his career in Birmingham. “That’s not saying we are going to win it, but I’m just saying it will fill a little better IF we do win the whole thing. I can’t believe it. It’s been a good career. The Alabama High School Athletic Association has really put on a great tournament, and it gets better every year.”

T.R. Miller led Jackson 9-1 after one quarter and never trailed. The Tigers led 29-23 entering the fourth and 34-25 early in the quarter. However, the Aggies (29-3) didn’t quit, clawing back — out of nowhere seemingly — to within 36-35 when Tyra Caves hit the first of two free throw attempts with 20.2 seconds left.

“We decided we really wanted to start playing,” Jackson coach Trinnia McKenzie-Smith said. “That’s how we should have played all four quarters.”

Caves missed her second free throw, leaving the Aggies’ deficit at one point. Jackson looked like it might have forced a jump ball seconds later in the backcourt, but officials ruled T.R. Miller had called a timeout first.

“That was a major call that was made,” McKenzie-Smith said. “It was a jump ball. That means no one had possession so how were they able to get the timeout? People were tied up on the bottom.”

The T.R Miller possession led to a Bethany Simmons free throw and a 37-35 lead with 10.4 seconds left. Jackson rushed the ball up court, but the Tigers came up with a steal and ran the clock out. It was the third victory in four tries for T.R. Miller over Jackson this year.

“We’ve been playing all defense all year,” Ronald Jackson said. “It’s a small bunch of kids, but they don’t mind scrapping. They get out and play some tough defense. I can’t say too much for them. They just hustle, work hard and never give up.”

Serenity Mitchell finished with 11 points, 7 rebounds, 4 blocks and 2 steals for the Tigers. Lyrik Hails had 8 points and 8 rebounds. Angel Powell led the Aggies with 14 points and 13 rebounds. Caves was held to just 1 point on 0-of-3 shooting.

By the numbers: T.R. Miller was 15-of-38 from the field (39. 5 percent) and 7-of-14 from the foul line (50 percent). Jackson was 8-of-36 from the field (22.2 percent) and 19-of-24 from the foul line (79.2 percent). Neither team hit a 3-pointer (combined 0-for-11). T.R. Miller outrebounded Jackson 30-24 and had 16 offensive rebounds.

They said it:

“We still have a few young ones out there. We got in foul trouble toward the end and those young ones will slip and slide a little in the wrong direction, but we pulled it out.” – Jackson on holding off the late Aggies’ rally.

“You can’t decide to play in the fourth quarter. We waited too late to decide to play. The 1-point first quarter didn’t help either.” – McKenzie-Smith.

“No. It will take a whole lot of money to make me re-think that. My grandkids are almost grown. I know I look good, but ‘Hey’ I’m 66.” – Jackson on if he might re-think retirement.