The Lady Bulldogs came out strong in Tuesday evening’s regional finals and finished even stronger. The defending champions beat Pleasant Home 35-18 to advance to Monday’s Class 1A state semifinals in Birmingham.

“They played great,” said head coach Andrew Kilcrease. “We struggled a little on the offense, but did a real good job on defense in the end.”

Saquaya Lane made Brantley’s first basket of the game, about two minutes into the first quarter.

Sydnee Bryan followed with a 3-pointer.

Brantley ended the quarter for a 12-6 lead.

The team picked up more points in the final quarter than they did during a strong first quarter.

“They played disciplined basketball,” Kilcrease said of his team.

Payton Burnett led the team with 14 points. Lane added nine points to the total. Amahni Upshaw had eight points and led in rebounds with 16 for the night.

Brantley (27-2) will play Spring Garden (32-2) in the state semifinals Mon., Feb. 23, at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex at noon.

Kilcrease said Spring Garden was a strong team.

“They’ve got to be pretty good if they’re 32-2,” he said.

Brantley has made to successful bids for the championship and have their eyes on a three-peat Monday.

Kilcrease said he just wants to see his team play with confidence. “We’re going to look at it as just another game,” he said. “Go out and play to the best of our abiliity.”