“Unleashing a World of Excitement: E.A. Sports Takes Center Stage!”

Austin fulfills her long-held desire as Hazel Green competes against Spring Garden, scoring 43 points as Alabama’s 1A powerhouse defeats the 6A powerhouse.

By Shannon Fagan
WEIS Sports Director

SPRING GARDEN – For quite a while, Spring Garden senior point guard Ace Austin has viewed Class 6A seven-time defending state champion Hazel Green as the “top team” in Alabama girls high school basketball.

Austin has always embraced the challenge of the top team.

“Since I was young, I expressed, ‘I want to compete against Hazel Green,’” she remarked. “I want to face Hazel Green.”

Just over a week ago, shortly after Spring Garden had triumphed over another Class 6A titan at Gadsden City by 26 points, Ace and her father, head coach Ricky Austin, were en route home.

Coach Austin was conversing with Hazel Green’s coach, Tim Miller.

“We had been discussing it for a few days,” Coach Austin noted. “We were uncertain about whether we could schedule a game, and I finally said, ‘Alright, it’s confirmed. We’ll get it officially noted. I’ll contact the officials.’”

Looking over at his daughter after concluding the call, Coach Austin noticed her glowing with joy.

“I’m telling you, when he informed me we’d face Hazel Green, it was like Christmas,” Ace expressed.

“She wanted to play that game immediately,” Coach Austin recounted. “She said, ‘Why do we have to wait? Let’s play this game tomorrow.’ She was incredibly eager for this matchup.”

On Tuesday evening at Dale Welsh Gymnasium in Spring Garden, the University of Alabama recruit did not disappoint. She scored 43 points, secured eight rebounds, provided two assists, and recorded a steal in the Class 1A, No. 1 Lady Panthers’ 63-46 win against the 6A, No. 2 Lady Trojans (19-8).

As if conquering a significant competitor wasn’t sufficient, Ace also eclipsed Paige Anderson McDonald’s school career scoring record. Anderson McDonald amassed 3,667 points from 2003-08. Ace currently stands at 3,671 points and counting.

Following the game, the father gifted the daughter the game ball in front of an enthusiastic, standing-room-only audience.

“Ace rarely displays emotion, but she shed some tears tonight when I handed her the ball,” Coach Austin reflected. “I will never forget that moment.”

“She was a phenomenal player, and surpassing her means a great deal,” Ace remarked regarding her achievement over Anderson McDonald. “It signifies a lot to me because everyone here has supported me throughout this journey. The encouragement I receive drives me to perform better. I think that’s what propels me in every game, knowing that my town, my supporters, everyone in the student section, and all those present (behind me).”

Senior guard/forward Maggie Jarrett emphasized that the Lady Panthers (27-1) shared in Ace’s accomplishment as much as she did.

“We adore Ace immensely, and we love witnessing her success,” said Jarrett, who contributed 11 points, six assists, two rebounds, and a blocked shot. “I believe it felt equally rewarding for us as it was for her to know she achieved that.”

Ace brought her best performance against Hazel Green right from the start. She netted 12 points in the first quarter, guiding the Lady Panthers to a 15-6 lead.

Five 3-pointers from Spring Garden in the second quarter, including two from Kristen Lewis, maintained the Lady Panthers’ lead at halftime, 30-23.

Ace scored nine of the Lady Panthers’ 12 points in the third period, during which Hazel Green tried to close the gap, trailing 42-37.

Jarrett opened the fourth quarter with five consecutive points, extending Spring Garden’s lead to 10, at 47-37, and Ace took charge from that point. She accounted for the remaining 16 points of the Lady Panthers to seal the victory.

“I wasn’t concerned about my performance; what mattered was that we secured the win,” Ace stated.

“Ace performed as she always does. She executed what was required, particularly in the fourth quarter,” Jarrett noted. “She elevated her play to another level that we all know she possesses. It was a wonderful feeling to see her excel at what she does best.”

“I believe this was a game where she truly enjoyed herself,” Coach Austin remarked. “Afterward, she told me, ‘Dad, that was such a blast.’”

Kristen Johnson led the Lady Trojans with 19 points, while Sloan Williams, Addison Cantrell, and Madison Eddings each contributed eight points.

Lewis scored six points on two three-pointers for Spring Garden.

“Two of my former players, Kandi and Kelly Lewis, addressed the audience after the game,” Coach Austin shared. “They reflected on how they were bigger and flashier. They appeared to be the team destined to dominate, but what they were proud of witnessing tonight was that you can’t quantify heart. You can’t quantify the will to win. You can’t quantify the determination to avoid defeat. Those qualities are immeasurable.

“I believe our endurance was evident in the fourth quarter. When they put the pressure on us, it wasn’t just Ace responding. It was Kristen. It was Maggie.

“I was worried about their offensive rebounds. I anticipated they would be very selective with their shots. My strategy was for us to take numerous shots, making them work hard and requiring them to rebound extensively, which could tire them out. I thought that the more effort they had to put into rebounding, it would become apparent in the fourth quarter. It appeared that it did.”

And then some.

“We recognized this was a unique opportunity,” Ace remarked. “We understood many people would be observing. We just needed to come out and demonstrate who Spring Garden is.

“Hats off to Hazel Green for coming down here. Not many 6A schools would visit a 1A school. I’m just pleased he (Miller) finally came down here to compete. It holds significance not only for us but for basketball as a whole. They are nationally recognized. Perhaps now everyone will learn where Spring Garden is.”