GDW Analysis:
HANCEVILLE: All of a sudden, the Meek Tigers have put together a winning formula on the hardwood.
Four consecutive victories in the postseason has the ball club out of Arley playing for a regional championship.
Meek sent Tom Drake Coliseum into a frenzy Tuesday afternoon in knocking off Athens Bible School 41 to 39 in Class 1A semifinal play.
The Tigers were locked in a 19 to 19 tie at the half.
Athens Bible eased ahead by the score of 33 to 30 going to the 4th.
Bryan Woods' Tigers laid it on the line in the 4th with an 11 to 6 advantage.
Key plays came on a layup by Parker Ferguson to move the Tigers on top to stay.
Athens Bible had possession with a chance to even the score and create overtime.
That did not develop with Ferguson blocking a shot in the paint in the waning seconds.
Meek has 14 wins overall against 12 losses.
In the postseason, the Tigers whipped Cullman Christian School 70 to 21 in the Area 14 semifinal.
Then last Tuesday at Addison, the Tigers stunned the regular season winner Bulldogs by the final of 55 to 43.
That gave Meek a chance to play a sub regional game in Arley. The Tigers outgunned Sumiton Christian 77 to 60 and be in the Sweet 16 in their class.
Ferguson scored 13, had 8 rebounds and 6 blocks for his squad.
PG Evan McCay produced 11 points, shooting 4 of 7 in FGs, Conner Lane tallied 7.
AJ Bradford was the leader for the Trojans with 15, Luke McElyea added 11.
Athens Bible ends the year at 13 & 11.
The Tigers will play for the regional championship at 2:15 p.m. Monday from Tom Drake Coliseum.
Other regional scores:
1A: Hubbertville 76, Hackleburg 70 (OT)
Hubbertville defeated Hackleburg for the 4th time out of 4 opportunities this season.
Hackleburg tied the score as time ran out in regulation, making it 66 to 66 and OT needed.
Hubbertville went on a 10 to 4 advantage in the extra frame.
Hubbertville vs. Meek in regional final 2:15 p.m. Monday, live on the NFHS Network with Flash and Rich Jesse the championship game announcers.
2A: Decatur Heritage 60, Sulligent 55:
Decatur Heritage earned victory in coming from behind with a 21 to 9 run in the 4th period.
Sulligent led 46 to 39 with a period remaining. The Eagles hit 60 percent of their shots in the final 8:00 and won despite going 8 of 16 from the line in the period for 50 percent.
Brady Wilson and Jordan Davis netted 14 apiece for the Eagles, now with 18 wins against 9 losses.
Tyler Tucker tossed in 17 for Sulligent. The Blue Devils finish with 17 wins & 9 losses.
Photo of Meek coach Bryan Woods and his bench in the 3rd period of Tuesday's Northwest Regional game at Wallace.
GDW photo by Johnny Thornton.
