MOBILE — The last four seasons ended the same way for Wilcox-Central — with a loss in a regional semifinal.

The Jaguars ended that dubious streak Wednesday and punched their ticket to Saturday night’s Class 5A South Regional championship game a by holding on for a 58-55 win over Vigor at the University of South Alabama’s Mitchell Center. The Jaguars will meet area rival Selma in Saturday night’s title game.

“That was the goal, to get further than we’ve gone in the last four years,” Wilcox-Central head coach James Thomas said.

Vigor had another plan and the Jaguars couldn’t celebrate until Seante Grimes’ 3-pointer banged off the rim in the final seconds.

Grimes’ last-second 3-pointer aside, the game was won — and lost — at the free throw line. Vigor missed 6 of 7 free throws in the final 4:46, while Wilcox-Central made 5-of-5 in the fourth quarter.

Kyser Irby gave Wilcox-Central (23-7) the lead for good by making two free throws with 3:20 to go, and Fredrick Turner’s runout layup with 2:45 to play pushed the advantage to 56-53.

Josh Bean, Mobile Register