TUSCALOOSA — Areyana Williams scored 21 points Tuesday as the Selma girls defeated Paul Bryant 54-50 in the first round of the class 6A, area 6 tournament at Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa.

Williams’ performance helped the Saints overcome a night where Jacquetta Dailey, Jamya Smith and Aaliyah Hatcher fouled out.

“We’ve got a chance to keep pushing and that’s our goal, to try to get to that regional and to the state,” said Selma head coach Anthony Harris.

The Saints led 25-18 at halftime but struggled to pull away in the second half.

Jamya Smith scored 14 points for Selma and Kynadra Lewis and Jacquetta Dailey each added seven apiece.

“It was just one of these nights where we had to play. We have been playing all the time, but this was a good test for us and I think it was a lesson too,” Harris said.

The Saints will play Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa Friday night in the area championship. Hillcrest defeated Chilton County 86-14 on Tuesday.

The teams split their two meetings this year. The winner of Friday’s game gets to host a sub-regional game, while the loser will have to play on the road during that round of the playoffs.

“I’d love to be at home but at least we have two more chances,” Harris said.

throughout the night against Wilcox Central, but the Hornets couldn’t hang on and saw their season end in a 59-56 loss.

The game was played as part of the class 5A, area 6 tournament at Sumter Central High School. Andre Hall scored 14 of his 22 points in the final quarter to lead the way for Dallas County in the loss.

Josh Benford was also in double figures for Dallas County with 10 points.

Dallas County had made it to Birmingham the last two seasons, including winning the 4A state championship in 2014.

Wilcox will face the winner of Demopolis and Sumter Central Thursday in the area championship game.

 

Thomasville 56, Southside 44 (boys)

Less than two weeks ago, Southside beat Thomasville to enter the postseason with a little bit of momentum. The Panthers challenge was to find a way to do it again on Tuesday night in the first round of the class 4A, area 3 tournament in Monroeville.

The Panthers were unable to meet that challenge, falling to the Tigers 56-44 and seeing their season come to an end.

Lee Underwood scored 23 points to lead Southside in scoring in the loss. Charles Price added seven points for the Panthers.

Southside trailed 22-21 at halftime but were outscored 18-11 in the third quarter.