Vigor’s Jamonica Chambers goes for a basket Tuesday against UMS-Wright in the Class 5A South Regional finals at Garrett Coliseum in Montgomery. Chambers had 17 points and 15 rebounds in the Wolves’ 56-46 win. (Helen Joyce/Call News)
Vigor coach Andrea Powell directs her team during its 56-46 win over UMS-Wright Tuesday. (Helen Joyce/Call News)
By JIMMY WIGFIELD
MONTGOMERY — When Vigor’s Sealediah Brown stroked a perfect three-pointer from the right wing on the first shot of the game, she and 6-foot-4 center Jamonica Chambers felt that it was going to be a prosperous day for the Wolves.
With Brown airing up five 3-pointers and drawing defenders away from Chambers, both finished with 17 points and Vigor contorted UMS-Wright’s defense outside-in for a 56-46 victory Tuesday in the Class 5A South Regional girls final at Garrett Coliseum.
The Wolves (23-10) — who have won 12 straight games — will play No. 2-ranked Scottsboro (27-5) in the state tournament semifinals on Feb. 26 at 3 p.m. at Legacy Arena in Birmingham.
Brown’s outside shooting, Chambers’ control of the paint with a wide brush and outright hustle — Vigor outscored the Bulldogs 20-7 off 20 turnovers and 18-4 on second-chance points — helped the Wolves lead from start to finish.
“We’re gonna keep this train rolling to the Blue Map,” said Vigor coach Andrea Powell, whose face was splashed with tears after going through a congratulatory gauntlet of fans.
She said the Wolves continue to be motivated by last year’s 50-49 regional semifinal loss to Eufaula on a scoring error.
“It’s so surreal because of what we went through last year,” Powell said. “But I thank God for it because I felt as though we had to go through what we did last year to give us that drive to come in this year and be ready. They believed, I believed, and we stayed the course and we persevered through. Our plan coming into this game was defense and I think we did a great job on it.”
Chambers, the regional MVP, was a death Chambers for anything and anybody coming at her on the low block. She had four blocks and discouraged many other shots.
“When you have someone with that kind of size and coach Powell does a good job putting her in the right places, it really changes your offense,” said UMS-Wright coach Terry Canova, who saw his team’s 12-game winning streak end to finish 24-9. “I think every shot opportunity at the rim, you always have her in the back of your mind. And I think we left a lot of shots around the rim on the table, particularly because (Chambers) is such a force down there. And credit to (Brown). When you’ve got somebody like her that comes in and makes those kind of big shots, it just really opens things up for you.”
Chambers had 15 rebounds and eight of her offensive boards led to 10 second-chance points but she said Brown’s 3-point shooting gradually eased the clog of defenders around her.
“I feel like if we worked the ball inside out, then it would be better because I’m always getting double-teamed,” said Chambers, who made 8 of 21 shots. “So, if I pass it out, they’re gonna have to come out on our shooter. And I feel like that was a big part of the game.”
Brown, who was shooting 30% from three-point range, whacked the Bulldogs’ defense when it sagged in on Chambers.
“They were basically trying to triple team the center,” said Brown, who made it look like her favorite spot was on the right wing.
“To be honest, my favorite spots are like the corners, the corner threes,” said Brown, who made 5 of 8 three-pointers.
Powell was grateful Brown showed what she is capable of.
“She stepped up but I knew all season she could shoot,” Powell said. “I’ve just been waiting on somebody to get hot and she did.”
Canova conceded the point — or 17 of them — especially since Brown didn’t score as well in a 48-35 loss to the Bulldogs in November.
“I think a big part of it was (Brown) making those kind of shots,” Canova said. “She had 17 and I guarantee you she didn’t have that many the first time we played them. We were trying to find a way to help off of Chamberss and they made us pay.”
Chambers, who has the wingspan of a small airplane, was an intimidating presence defensively and never got into foul trouble despite UMS-Wright doggedly attacking her inside.
“I ain’t gonna let them get a little, easy two-pointer,” Chambers said. “That ain’t gonna happen.”
Powell knows Chambers is going to put a fence around the basket, no matter what.
“She plays great defense,” Powell said. “She can slide her feet and she’s gonna rebound. Even when she’s not scoring, she still contributes.”
Ellie Mostellar and Reagan Harvill each scored 10 points for the Bulldogs, although Mostellar fouled out in the third period with the Bulldogs trailing by 12 points.
“Losing Ellie in the third quarter, she was really having a good offensive game,” said Canova, who was in his 10th regional final at UMS-Wright. “I could stand here and we can try to make excuses but credit to them for coming in here and getting it done.”
