By Staff
Lady Sentinels bring home first state championship since 1994
Charles Prince, Hartselle Enquirer
TUSCALOOSA – Bethel Baptist won the 2004 Alabama Christian Education Association High School basketball championship with a 50-46 win over Brooklane High of Hueytown. The title was the first state championship since the 1994 team also took the crown.
Championship game
Bethel Baptist 50,
Brooklane 46
Tournament MVP Maegan Price led the way with 25 points. Melainie Missildine added 16 more to give the Lady Sentinel two players in double figures.
Brooklane jumped to an early 8-4 lead taking advantage of cold Bethel Baptist shooting. At halftime, Brooklane had increased the lead to 21-16. By the end of the third period the lead was only four at 33-29.
In the final period, Price was on the bench with foul trouble when Brooklane increased the lead to nine points.
After Price's return, the Bethel defense made several steals down the stretch to put the Lady Sentinels in the lead.
Missildine was named to the All-Tourney team along with Price.
Bethel Baptist 4 12 13 21 – 50
Brooklane 8 13 12 14 – 46
Bethel scoring – Meagan Price 25, Melainie Missildine 16, Mandy Matthews 5, Monica Goodwin 2, Hannah Junkins 2
Semi-final game
Bethel Baptist 49,
Faith High 48
In the semi-finals, Bethel Baptist earned a trip to the finals with a 49-48 win over Faith High School of Athens.
Price was the only Lady Sentinel in double figures with 29.
Bethel led 8-6 after one period and 22-20 at the half. Faith High responded with a 14-9 run in the third period to take a 34-31 lead.
In the final period, Bethel went on an 18-14 run to edge out Faith High. With Bethel trailing 48-47, sophomore Price sank the game winning jump shot.
Bethel Baptist 8 14 9 18 – 49
Faith High 6 14 14 14 – 48
Bethel scoring – Meagan Price 29, Melainie Missildine 6, Mandy Matthews 5, Emily Kiser 4, Hannah Junkins 2, Monica Goodwin 2