GDW Analysis:
VINEMONT: By being in an area championship game the previous 2 years, the Holly Pond Lady Broncos understood this situation a little more Monday evening than the Vinemont Lady Eagles.
Vinemont came to "The Pinacol" under a storybook season with new coach Emily Willoughby.
Battled tested Holly Pond, led by coach Mary Hartline, pulled off a 54 to 42 stunner in the 3A, Area 11 championship.
Vinemont held a 10 to 8 advantage after the opening period. PG Reagan Robinson was off to a good start with 4 FGs and 8 points for the home group.
However, Holly Pond's matchup defense was sound for the next 16 minutes, allowing Vinemont a FG in the 2nd and 10 points in the 3rd.
The Lady Eagles potent 3 point shooting did not get on the scoreboard until the final 30 seconds of the 3rd.
Threes by Vayda Yarbrough and Caroline Miller finally connected with Vinemont behind 37 to 22.
Holly Pond had balanced scoring in the 2nd to move in front, gaining a 24 to 12 halftime lead.
Five were scored by Ava Thomas with Millie McBee and Maggie Nail having 4, Madison Butts 3.
The 3rd period became Nail's show with 3 Fgs and a FT for 7 points.
Holly Pond scorched the foul line in the 4th, making 9 of 10 for 90 percent.
Butts delivered 7 in a row before she missed in the final minute.
Thomas was named the Area MVP as she poured in 19 points in the championship. Butts claimed 12, Nail 11, McBee 10 and Alaina Phillips. All 5 were named to the All Area team.
Robinson was the lone Vinemont player in double figures with 14. Carley Stephens scored 9, Miller 7, Flanagan 7, Yarbrough 3 and Arleigh Thomason 2.
This was Vinemont's only loss at home the entire season in 12 games.
Holly Pond has 19 wins against 7 losses and will host a 3 sub regional playoff Friday vs. the loser of Colbert County/Lauderdale County. Vinemont takes 22 wins and 6 losses on the road. They will play at the winner of Area 16, Colbert County or Lauderdale County.
The Lady Broncos are area champions for the first time under Hartline and their first since the 2019 season.
Photo of Holly Pond's Millie McBee (1) and Madison Butts (0) in Cullman County tournament game January 20 at Wallace State.
Photo courtesy of Martha Needham.
