The Keith boys’ basketball team has already advanced further this season than it did during 2014-2015, when the Bears spent most of the year ranked atop the Alabama Sports Writers Association rankings.

Keith clinched class 1A, area 5 on Monday night after Ellwood Christian defeated Isabella 61-28 and qualified for the sub-regional around of the Alabama High School Athletic Association playoffs. The win was Keith’s seventh straight regular season area championship.

It also provides a little redemption for a team that saw last season end suddenly season in the first round of the area tournament. Keith went into the class 1A, area 5 tournament ranked atop the 1A polls, but lost to Akron, a one-win team and was abruptly eliminated.

This year Keith won’t even have to play an opening round game in the area tournament. Since the Bears play in a three-team area, they automatically advance to the area championship game and are guaranteed a spot in the sub-regional round of the playoffs.

Here are scores from the last few nights from around Selma and Dallas County:

 

Ellwood 61, Isabella 28 (Boys)

Ellwood Christian defeated Isabella 61-28 Monday night in a class 1A, area 5 game. The Eagles’ victory clinched the class 1A, area 5 regular season title for Keith.

Derrick Griffin led Ellwood with 16 points and Tyre Webster scored 10. Marvin White, Justin Buford, Ja’Mel Phillips and Devaunte Sanders all scored five for the Eagles.

 

Bibb County 55, Keith 41 (Boys)

One night after Ellwood Christian’s win clinched the class 1A, area 5 championship for Keith, the Bears fell Tuesday at Bibb County.

John Pettway scored 22 points and brought down eight rebounds, but Keith (17-5) lost to the Choctaws 55-41.

Keith’s girls (20-2) won, but no score was available.

 

Thomasville 76, Southside 57 (Boys)

Charles Price scored 21 points but Southside couldn’t keep up with Thomasville in a class 4A, area 3 game.

Kentavius Page added 16 points for the Panthers, who fell to 7-10 overall and 0-3 in area play.

Southside will host Mroneo County on Thursday night.

 

Meadowview 53, New Life 44 (Boys)

Justin McGuire scored 18 points and Jevar McGuire had 17 as Meadowview Christian defeated defeated New Life Christian 53-44.

The Trojans junior varsity fell 40-25 despite 13 points from Jeremy Lee. Davis Vardaman also scored eight points for Meadowview.

Meadowview will host Gunn Christian Thursday.

 

Meadowview 54, New Life 48 (Girls)

Meadowview Christian (9-6) moved to 3-1 in region play with a 54-48 win over New Life Christian on Tuesday night.

Hannah Thortnon led the way for the Trojans with 16 points.

Mallory Freine had 15 points, Tayler Roberts scored 12 and Christina Dabit had 11.

 

Selma 63, Linden 47 (Girls)

Jamya Smith made eight 3-pointers and scored 27 points to lead Selma (19-2) to a 63-47 win over Linden Saturday.

Areyana Williams scored 14 points and Jacquetta Dailey added 13 for the Saints.

Selma will play at Paul Bryant Friday.