BIRMINGHAM — There are two things in basketball you can’t teach, speed and size. The latter of the two was the difference in the game between Wilcox Central and Wenonah High School in the AHSAA Class AAAAA state-semifinal on Friday.

Wenonah (29-7) used their size to outrebound the Jaguars 48-38, including 22 offensive rebounds in route to a 67-60 win.

“We knew from the reports that they were long and tall,” Jaguars coach Mark Dukes said. “It was definitely a factor in the game, but I think the difference was early in the third quarter.”

The Dragons trailed Wilcox 31-29 at the half, but came out with a 20 to 12 run in the third quarter to pull out to a lead that Wilcox was not able to come back from.

“I think we were missing a lot of shots, guys were pressing in the first half,” Dragons coach Cedric Lane said. “I told them it was okay, that we were in good shape, that we had played a terrible first half and if we play anything like we usually play that we would be fine the second half.”

Wilcox was able to pull close to the final frame.

When Everette Bennett sank a 3-point shot with 3:05, the Jags tied the game before Wenonah pulled away from the free-throw line.

Wenonah did a good job of containing Wilcox’s Fredrick Turner.

Turner scored 20 points but was tightly guarded the entire game.

“They played close on me and made sure I didn’t shoot it,” Turner said. “It kind of affected me but I had to learn to overcome and be a better player.”

Dukes said he was extremely happy with the support that followed the Jaguars from Wilcox County.

“I want to say thank you to all the fans of Wilcox County for all the support they have given us all season,” Dukes said. “We have a great group of young men.”

They showed a lot of heart and character and I couldn’t have had a better group of young men to work with.”

Now Wilcox must turn its focused to next year and replacing 7 seniors.

“We have a young group coming back next year,” Dukes said. “That happens though, we just have to work harder to get back here.”