The Butler County Magnet School Panthers advanced to Monday’s Class 1A, Area 2 tournament championship with a 68-41 drubbing of J.U. Blacksher on Thursday in Beatrice.

Adrian Rich led Panthers’ scorers with 21 points, followed by LaCory Savage, who had 15, and Derrick Crittenden who finished with 13 points.

Now comes the challenging part: beating fifth-ranked J.F. Shields on its homecourt, said BCMS head coach Kirk Norris. The Panthers play J.F. Shields at 7:30 Monday night.

“Monday’s game against Shields is going to be a tough challenge, especially playing on their home floor,” said Norris. “We feel as if we have a lot of momentum right now and hope we can carry that into the championship game.”

Norris’ team would like nothing more then to claim the victory. J.F. Shields came into Georgiana and beat the Panthers 61-52 in the area tournament title last season. That sent the Panthers on the road for a sub-regional contest.

A win Monday would allow BCMS to host a Class 1A sub-regional game next week.

“This was the game we have waited 364 days for, a rematch with Shields for the area championship, after they beat us for the championship last year on our own floor,” said Norris. “I know our kids will be up to the challenge and we will be looking at a few new wrinkles to put in during the next few days of practice in preparation for the game. It should be an exciting atmosphere on Monday night.”

Florala 45, McKenzie 38 (Girls)

Florala almost lost to No. 4-seeded McKenzie Thursday night in the Class 1A, Area 3 tournament, but managed to pull out the win with the help of Mariah Thompson, Brooke Hammonds and Paige Irwin.

Thompson and Hammonds led Florala with 14 points each and Irwin chipped in 12 in the victory.

McKenzie kept the game close throughout the contest outscoring Florala 12-11 in the first quarter.

By halftime, the Lady Wildcats cut into McKenzie’s, lead putting up 10 points compared to McKenzie’s six, and went to the locker room ahead, 21-18.

The second half went just like the first half in terms of scoring.

Florala outscored McKenzie 16-9 in the third quarter, but McKenzie won the last quarter shooting nine points compared to Florala’s eight.

Daizia Womack and Aleshia Stuckey led McKenzie with 14 points each. – Andalusia Star-News

Greenville 47,

Monroe County 45 (Girls)

Greenville advanced to the Class 5A, Area 4 tournament championship with a 47-45 win in overtime in Camden.

Nikia Powell scored the game-winning basket with six seconds left in OT. She had 21 points and 10 rebounds.

Greenville plays against Wilcox-Central today at 6 p.m. for the area title.