Highland Home girls advance to Final Four
The Highland Home Lady Squadron secured their spot in the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) Final Four with a thrilling 32-30 overtime victory against Ranburne in the Class 2A Central Regional Semi-final at the Alabama State University (ASU) Acadome on Monday. The victory advances the varsity girls’ team to compete at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC) on Feb. 24.
Overcoming a sluggish first half in which they managed only five points, Highland Home staged a determined comeback.
Down by seven in the fourth quarter, Ansley Garrard electrified the crowd with a crucial three-pointer. JaNya Foster, recognized by her coaches as one of the state’s best guards, led the charge with 14 points, including a key steal and layup to send the game into overtime. Anicah Rodgers delivered the only points of overtime, securing the hard-fought win.
Foster and Rodgers were named to the All-Region Team, with Foster earning tournament MVP honors.
“We will be preparing the next few days by resting our bodies and getting back healthy,” said Highland Home head coach GeVonne Cooper. “Wednesday we will be doing film study, cardio and shoot around. The rest of the week and the weekend will be intense practice as usual. “
Regarding a few key players, Cooper said. “JaNya’s leadership and competitiveness have become contagious, impacting the whole team all season. Anicah Rodgers has emerged as a major scoring and rebounding threat, and Lucy McKenzie has really come into her own in these last four games.”
“The two that don’t get as much credit as they deserve are Annsley Garrad who is the clock that keeps us going, and JaKeria Foster who is by far the best defender I’ve seen in high school girls basketball!”
According to Cooper, the biggest challenge in their next game will be slowing down Pisgah’s transition offense and making them play half court offense.
Foster, who played through illness, reflected on the significance of the win.
“I overcame the pressure in such a close game by staying calm and continuing to fight even throughout the last seconds of the game,” Foster said. “I was feeling bad throughout the entire game but I knew my teammates needed me so I fought through the sickness to help my team. Hearing that Highland Home hasn’t made it to the Final Four in 24 years really motivated me and my teammates to make sure we changed that this year.”
The Highland Home Lady Squadron will take on top-ranked Pisgah in the Class 2A semifinals Feb. 24 at 6 p.m.