It was a game the Ragland Lady Purple Devil basketball team will remember forever. Playing with heavy hearts after one of their teammates was killed tragically in an automobile accident the day after Christmas, Ragland won the St. Clair County Jr. High Basketball Tournament Saturday for Jadi Brock.

The Lady Purple Devils defeated Springville 26-18 and were overcome with emotion as players hugged and cried following the win.

Ragland Coach Jimmy Campbell said he was proud of the girls for the way they played together.

“I want to thank the people of St. Clair County who have prayed for us during this hard time and for our loss,” Campbell said. “Jadi’s death made a big impact on my kids coming together.

“These girls won this tournament for Jadi. If they looked up to Heaven right after the win, I believe they would have seen Jadi clapping for them.”

Springville 31, Odenville 25

The Springville Lady Tigers defeated Odenville 31-25 to advance to the next round of the county tournament.

Springville led 5-2 after the first period but trailed 11-8 at halftime as the Lady Saints outscored Springville 9-3 in the second quarter.

The Lady Tigers won the scoring battle in the third quarter 8-2 to take a 16-13 lead into the fourth and final quarter.

Springville stretched its lead in the fourth quarter as Ashley Bates nailed a 3-pointer with 5:16 left to give Springville a 19-14 lead. A few seconds later, Springville’s Emma Morgan was good on two free throws that made it 21-14. The final score was 31-25.

Leading the Lady Tigers was Kolyn Kyser with 10 points. Hayden Henderson and Bates scored 5 points each while Jaclyn DuPre netted 4 points. Ashleigh Tremble chipped in 3 points while Morgan and Sara Rhodes had 2 points each.

Leading the Lady Saints from Odenville was Jasmine Hare with 11 points. Amanda Love contributed 9 points while Kyla Robinette scored 3 points. Brionna Clark had 2 points.

Ragland 24, Ashville 20

They did not score a single point in the first half, yet Ashville still had a chance to win the game in the end but they fell to Ragland 24-20. The Lady Purple Devils advanced to the championship game with the win.

The Lady Bulldogs earned the right to face Ragland after beating Steele 41-13 in the opening round of the tournament.

Ashville started this game ice cold from the field and Ragland was up 6-0 after the first quarter and 13-0 at halftime.

Ashville finally scored 48 seconds into the third quarter on a bucket by Nikki Moss to make it 14-2. The Lady Bulldogs ended the quarter on a 10-2 run to make it 16-12 after three quarters of play.

Early in the fourth quarter, Ragland’s Kailey Echols hit a coupe of buckets to give the Lady Purple Devils a 20-12 lead. Ashville fought back with two scores of its own to make it 20-16 with just over 3 minutes left.

With 54 seconds remaining in regulation, Anika Bothwell stole an inbound pass and hit a lay-up to make it 20-18.

With 30 seconds remaining, Bothwell nailed another shot that tied the game at 20-20.

Five seconds later, Kailey Echols was fouled and she hit both free throws and that won the game for Ragland. The final score was 24-20.

Kailey Echols was the leading scorer for Ragland with 15 points. Belle McKinney scored 6 points while Nicole Reaves added 2 points.

Leading Ashville was Moss with 10 points. Chatara Stoudmire, Marrin Cater, Hannah Ashley and Erianne Gilbert all scored 2 points each.

Springville 37, Moody 35

It was a game that was tight from beginning to end and when the buzzer sounded, it was the Lady Tigers coming out on top 37-35 over Moody. The win put Springville in the title game against Ragland.

The Lady Blue Devils led 11-10 after the first quarter but Springville took a two-point, 22-20 halftime lead into the locker room.

By the end of the third quarter, Springville’s lead was 30-26 but Moody fought back in the fourth quarter and the game was not decided until the final seconds.

The game was 34-33, then 36-35.

Springville’s Kolyn Kyser hit one of two free throws with 18 seconds remaining to give the Lady Tigers a 37-35 lead and that turned out to be the final score.

Kyser pumped in 14 points to lead the Lady Tigers to victory. Bates netted 10 points while Rhodes totaled 9 points. Rachel Palmer scored 4 points.

Leading Moody and all scorers was Alexus Martin with 18 points. Micaela Robinson scored 6 points while Alexis Moore totaled 4 points. Chelsea Goodwin chipped in 3 points while Peyton Swisher and Sarah Crutchfield had 2 points each.

Ragland 26, Springville 18

They fell behind early, but the Lady Purple Devils kept their composure and fought back to win the county title with a 26-18 win over Springville.

The first quarter belonged to the Lady Tigers as they were up 7-2 after the first six minutes of play.

Ragland took a 10-9 lead in the second quarter with 2:10 remaining before halftime. They were on a 7-0 run.

At the break, Springville held a slim 13-12 lead.

Ragland’s first lead came on the first points of the second half as Kailey Echols nailed a 3-pointer to give the Lady Purple Devils a 15-13 lead. It would be the only points of the game for Echols. McKinney hit a shot and Ragland was on a 5-0 run. With 17 seconds remaining in the third quarter, McKinney drilled a trey that gave Ragland a 20-15 lead after three quarters of play.

By the time the game came to a close, Ragland had outscored Springville 14-5 in the second half and won the game 26-18.

McKinney scored 15 points to lead Ragland. Reaves pumped in 7 points while Kailey Echols scored 3 points. Abreka Carson scored 2 points while Carley Echols had 1 point.

Leading the Lady Tigers was Kyser with 12 points. DuPre, Bates and Palmer scored 2 points each.

Ragland’s Kailey Echols was named the tournament MVP. Also making the All-County Team were Belle McKinney, Nicole Reaves and Abreka Carson from Ragland; Kolyn Kyser, Hayden Henderson and Sara Rhodes from Springville; Alexus Martin and Micaela Robinson from Moody; Marrin Cater and Nikki Moss form Ashville; Denice Hernandez from Steele; and Amanda Love from Odenville.