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Photo by Erin Nelson
Hewitt-Trussville’s Audre Benson (1) shoots for 3-points guarded by Vestavia Hills’ Ally Smith (10) and Vestavia Hills’ Anna Towry (5) in the AHSAA Class 7A Northeast Regional final at Pete Matthews Coliseum at Jacksonville State University on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. The Huskies defeated the Rebels 48-46 to advance to the Class 7A State semi-final at Bartow Arena on March 2, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
The Rebels react after losing to Hewitt-Trussville in the AHSAA Class 7A Northeast Regional final at Pete Matthews Coliseum at Jacksonville State University on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. The Huskies defeated the Rebels 48-46 to advance to the Class 7A State semi-final at Bartow Arena on March 2, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Vestavia Hills’ Josie Edwards (34) shoots a layup as she’s fouled by Hewitt-Trussville’s D’Yona Jones (24) in the AHSAA Class 7A Northeast Regional final at Pete Matthews Coliseum at Jacksonville State University on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. The Huskies defeated the Rebels 48-46 to advance to the Class 7A State semi-final at Bartow Arena on March 2, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Hewitt-Trussville’s April Hooks (4) dribbles the ball guarded by Vestavia Hills’ Jill Gaylard (2) in the AHSAA Class 7A Northeast Regional final at Pete Matthews Coliseum at Jacksonville State University on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. The Huskies defeated the Rebels 48-46 to advance to the Class 7A State semi-final at Bartow Arena on March 2, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Hewitt-Trussville’s Amiya Payne (32) dribbles the ball guarded by Vestavia Hills’ Alison Stubbs (21) in the AHSAA Class 7A Northeast Regional final at Pete Matthews Coliseum at Jacksonville State University on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. The Huskies defeated the Rebels 48-46 to advance to the Class 7A State semi-final at Bartow Arena on March 2, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Vestavia Hills’ Ally Smith (10) looks to make a play guarded by Hewitt-Trussville’s April Hooks (4) in the AHSAA Class 7A Northeast Regional final at Pete Matthews Coliseum at Jacksonville State University on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. The Huskies defeated the Rebels 48-46 to advance to the Class 7A State semi-final at Bartow Arena on March 2, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Vestavia Hills’ Jill Gaylard (2) dribbles the ball as she moves towards the goal guarded by Hewitt-Trussville’s Amiya Payne (32) in the AHSAA Class 7A Northeast Regional final at Pete Matthews Coliseum at Jacksonville State University on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. The Huskies defeated the Rebels 48-46 to advance to the Class 7A State semi-final at Bartow Arena on March 2, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Vestavia Hills’ Ally Smith (10) shoots for 3-points guarded by Hewitt-Trussville’s Jordan Hunter (2) in the AHSAA Class 7A Northeast Regional final at Pete Matthews Coliseum at Jacksonville State University on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. The Huskies defeated the Rebels 48-46 to advance to the Class 7A State semi-final at Bartow Arena on March 2, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Vestavia Hills’ Emma Smith (3) passes the ball guarded by Hewitt-Trussville’s Audre Benson (1) in the AHSAA Class 7A Northeast Regional final at Pete Matthews Coliseum at Jacksonville State University on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. The Huskies defeated the Rebels 48-46 to advance to the Class 7A State semi-final at Bartow Arena on March 2, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Vestavia Hills’ Anna Towry (5) shoots a layup guarded by Hewitt-Trussville’s D’Yona Jones (24) in the AHSAA Class 7A Northeast Regional final at Pete Matthews Coliseum at Jacksonville State University on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. The Huskies defeated the Rebels 48-46 to advance to the Class 7A State semi-final at Bartow Arena on March 2, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Vestavia Hills’ Josie Edwards (34) shoots for 3-points as the Rebels face Hewitt-Trussville in the AHSAA Class 7A Northeast Regional final at Pete Matthews Coliseum at Jacksonville State University on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. The Huskies defeated the Rebels 48-46 to advance to the Class 7A State semi-final at Bartow Arena on March 2, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Vestavia Hills’ Ally Smith (10) shoots for 3-points as the Rebels face Hewitt-Trussville in the AHSAA Class 7A Northeast Regional final at Pete Matthews Coliseum at Jacksonville State University on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. The Huskies defeated the Rebels 48-46 to advance to the Class 7A State semi-final at Bartow Arena on March 2, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Hewitt-Trussville’s Amiya Payne (32) dribbles the ball guarded by Vestavia Hills’ Josie Edwards (34) in the AHSAA Class 7A Northeast Regional final at Pete Matthews Coliseum at Jacksonville State University on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. The Huskies defeated the Rebels 48-46 to advance to the Class 7A State semi-final at Bartow Arena on March 2, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Vestavia Hills’ head coach John David Smelser meets with the Rebels during a timeout in the AHSAA Class 7A Northeast Regional final game against Hewitt-Trussville at Pete Matthews Coliseum at Jacksonville State University on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. The Huskies defeated the Rebels 48-46 to advance to the Class 7A State semi-final at Bartow Arena on March 2, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Vestavia Hills fans rally behind the Rebels during the fourth quarter in the AHSAA Class 7A Northeast Regional final against Hewitt-Trussville at Pete Matthews Coliseum at Jacksonville State University on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. The Huskies defeated the Rebels 48-46 to advance to the Class 7A State semi-final at Bartow Arena on March 2, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Hewitt-Trussville’s Jordan Hunter (2) dribbles the ball guarded by Vestavia Hills’ Jill Gaylard (2) in the AHSAA Class 7A Northeast Regional final at Pete Matthews Coliseum at Jacksonville State University on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. The Huskies defeated the Rebels 48-46 to advance to the Class 7A State semi-final at Bartow Arena on March 2, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Vestavia Hills’ head coach John David Smelser meets with the Rebels during a timeout in the AHSAA Class 7A Northeast Regional final game against Hewitt-Trussville at Pete Matthews Coliseum at Jacksonville State University on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. The Huskies defeated the Rebels 48-46 to advance to the Class 7A State semi-final at Bartow Arena on March 2, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Vestavia Hills’ Carley Smith (4) shoots a layup guarded by Hewitt-Trussville’s Sara Phillips (15) in the AHSAA Class 7A Northeast Regional final at Pete Matthews Coliseum at Jacksonville State University on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. The Huskies defeated the Rebels 48-46 to advance to the Class 7A State semi-final at Bartow Arena on March 2, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Vestavia Hills’ Jill Gaylard (2) dribbles the ball guarded by Hewitt-Trussville’s Jordan Hunter (2) in the AHSAA Class 7A Northeast Regional final at Pete Matthews Coliseum at Jacksonville State University on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. The Huskies defeated the Rebels 48-46 to advance to the Class 7A State semi-final at Bartow Arena on March 2, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Vestavia Hills’ Jill Gaylard (2) dribbles the ball downcourt in the AHSAA Class 7A Northeast Regional final at Pete Matthews Coliseum at Jacksonville State University on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. The Huskies defeated the Rebels 48-46 to advance to the Class 7A State semi-final at Bartow Arena on March 2, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Vestavia Hills’ Alison Stubbs (21) shoots for 3-points guarded by Hewitt-Trussville’s April Hooks (4) in the AHSAA Class 7A Northeast Regional final at Pete Matthews Coliseum at Jacksonville State University on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. The Huskies defeated the Rebels 48-46 to advance to the Class 7A State semi-final at Bartow Arena on March 2, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Hewitt-Trussville’s Amiya Payne (32) shoots a layup guarded by Vestavia Hills’ Josie Edwards (34) in the AHSAA Class 7A Northeast Regional final at Pete Matthews Coliseum at Jacksonville State University on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. The Huskies defeated the Rebels 48-46 to advance to the Class 7A State semi-final at Bartow Arena on March 2, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Vestavia Hills’ head coach John David Smelser and the Rebels bench react on the sideline in the AHSAA Class 7A Northeast Regional final at Pete Matthews Coliseum at Jacksonville State University on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. The Huskies defeated the Rebels 48-46 to advance to the Class 7A State semi-final at Bartow Arena on March 2, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
The Vestavia Hills student section rallies behind the Rebels as they face Hewitt-Trussville in the AHSAA Class 7A Northeast Regional final at Pete Matthews Coliseum at Jacksonville State University on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. The Huskies defeated the Rebels 48-46 to advance to the Class 7A State semi-final at Bartow Arena on March 2, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Hewitt-Trussville’s Jordan Hunter (2) drives the ball towards the goal guarded by Vestavia Hills’ Jill Gaylard (2) in the AHSAA Class 7A Northeast Regional final at Pete Matthews Coliseum at Jacksonville State University on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. The Huskies defeated the Rebels 48-46 to advance to the Class 7A State semi-final at Bartow Arena on March 2, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Vestavia Hills’ head coach John David Smelser reacts on the sideline as the Rebels face Hewitt-Trussville in the AHSAA Class 7A Northeast Regional final at Pete Matthews Coliseum at Jacksonville State University on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. The Huskies defeated the Rebels 48-46 to advance to the Class 7A State semi-final at Bartow Arena on March 2, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Vestavia Hills’ Anna Towry (5) shoots a layup guarded by the Hewitt-Trussville defense in the AHSAA Class 7A Northeast Regional final at Pete Matthews Coliseum at Jacksonville State University on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. The Huskies defeated the Rebels 48-46 to advance to the Class 7A State semi-final at Bartow Arena on March 2, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Hewitt-Trussville’s April Hooks (4) dribbles the ball guarded by Vestavia Hills’ Emma Smith (3) in the AHSAA Class 7A Northeast Regional final at Pete Matthews Coliseum at Jacksonville State University on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. The Huskies defeated the Rebels 48-46 to advance to the Class 7A State semi-final at Bartow Arena on March 2, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Vestavia Hills’ Emma Smith (3) is fouled by Hewitt-Trussville’s Jordan Hunter (2) under the goal in the AHSAA Class 7A Northeast Regional final at Pete Matthews Coliseum at Jacksonville State University on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. The Huskies defeated the Rebels 48-46 to advance to the Class 7A State semi-final at Bartow Arena on March 2, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Vestavia Hills’ Emma Smith (3) is fouled by Hewitt-Trussville’s Jordan Hunter (2) under the goal in the AHSAA Class 7A Northeast Regional final at Pete Matthews Coliseum at Jacksonville State University on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. The Huskies defeated the Rebels 48-46 to advance to the Class 7A State semi-final at Bartow Arena on March 2, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Vestavia Hills’ Emma Smith (3) shoots a free-throw as the Rebels face Hewitt-Trussville in the AHSAA Class 7A Northeast Regional final at Pete Matthews Coliseum at Jacksonville State University on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. The Huskies defeated the Rebels 48-46 to advance to the Class 7A State semi-final at Bartow Arena on March 2, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
The Vestavia Hills student section rallies behind the Rebels as they face Hewitt-Trussville in the AHSAA Class 7A Northeast Regional final at Pete Matthews Coliseum at Jacksonville State University on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. The Huskies defeated the Rebels 48-46 to advance to the Class 7A State semi-final at Bartow Arena on March 2, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
JACKSONVILLE – Hewitt-Trussville High School's girls basketball team put an end to Vestavia Hills' season on Wednesday morning.
With just over four seconds to play, Amiya Payne received the inbounds pass along the baseline, roughly midway between the 3-point line and the paint. She rose up above the outstretched arms of her defender and sank the game-winning shot, lifting Hewitt-Trussville to a 48-46 win over Vestavia Hills at Jacksonville State University’s Pete Mathews Coliseum.
The win gave the Lady Huskies the Class 7A Northeast Regional championship and sends them to the state final four for the second time in three years. Hewitt-Trussville will face the winner between Baker and Theodore next Tuesday at 2 p.m. at UAB’s Bartow Arena.
“It was really exciting,” Payne said of the final play. “I’m a senior and I didn’t want that to be my last game.”
“We were most definitely going to Amiya Payne,” Hewitt-Trussville head coach Tonya Hunter said. “When it went through the net, I thought I was in heaven.”
The win put the finishing touches on a riveting comeback by the Lady Huskies, who trailed by as many as 11 points late in the third quarter.
“I have to exercise, because they get my blood pressure so high,” Hunter said with a laugh. “They feed off getting down. There’s no panic. They’re a fighting team when they’re down and they play a little looser. We just keep chipping away.”
Hewitt-Trussville (28-4) scored the final five points of the third quarter and retook the lead with 3:44 to play. In a back-and-forth final few minutes, Ally Smith nailed a 3-pointer for Vestavia Hills (30-4) to tie the game at 46-46 with 1:36 to play. Hewitt was able to successfully hold the ball until Payne’s final shot.
“It was a tough way to end a game, unfortunate someone had to lose that,” Vestavia Hills head coach John David Smelser said following the game.
It was the fourth time the two teams played this season, but just the first time the Lady Huskies prevailed. The previous three meetings were decided by a combined 16 points and represent three of Hewitt’s four losses on the year.
“All three games, I knew we could beat them, because they had all been close games and we made small mistakes,” Payne said.
Payne led all scorers with 17 points in the game and pulled down a team-high seven rebounds. Freshman guard Jordan Hunter added eight points, including a go-ahead basket with over two minutes to play.
The loss put an end to a phenomenal season for Vestavia Hills, which lost its four games by a combined 10 points. The Lady Rebels were ranked No. 2 in 7A much of the latter portion of the season.
“If you watched this team play, you know it’s a fun group to watch,” Smelser said. “We had goals and aspirations to play in the final four, but it doesn’t take away what we’ve done all year.”
Josie Edwards led Vestavia with 11 points, while Emma Smith joined her in double figures with 10 points. Both players also pulled down eight rebounds on a day in which the Lady Rebels outrebounded Hewitt 40-28. Edwards, Emma Smith and Alison Stubbs shared their gratitude for playing with a team that stayed together and won 30 games this year.
“I’m so proud of them and the work they’ve put in,” Stubbs said.
