Hatton girls advance to state final for first time in 17 years

Caleb Suggs, The Decatur Daily, Ala.
·2 min read

Mar. 4—BIRMINGHAM — It wasn't pretty, but when the final buzzer sounded, Hatton had advanced to the final of the Class 2A state tournament.

The Hornets knocked off Lanett, 45-38, on Wednesday in the Final Four, overcoming in the process their ugliest game of the year. The win puts them in their first state championship game since 2004.

"That was the worst game we've played all year," said Hatton coach Chasta Chamness. "They should put our picture in the Webster dictionary next to the word survive, because that's what we did today."

Hatton came in on a hot streak, having won nine in a row by an average of 45 points, but the Hornets struggled with Lanett's press and turned the ball over 29 times as a result.

"We turned the ball over way too much. They were very quick and athletic and, even though we worked on it, they killed us with their trap," Chamness said. "Free throws were actually what saved us, because we struggled to finish around the basket. That's amazing to me because we've struggled at the free throw line all season."

Hatton made 15-of-21 free throw attempts while Lanett was 9-of-21 at the line. Because of the Hornets' turnovers, Lanett also had a big edge in field goals attempted with 57 to Hatton's 38. However, Lanett made only 1-of-10 3-pointers while Hatton was 4-of-9 from long range.

The Hornets never trailed in the game. Hatton led 12-6 at the end of the first quarter, 26-21 at halftime and 35-27 after three quarters.

"If that was our worst game of the year I'll take it, because it's behind us now," said Chamness. "We won, and we're in the finals. That's all that matters."

Kamie Kirk led Hatton with 14 points, 10 of which came in the second half. And despite her offensive struggles in the first half, she still made her presence known on defense. She forced the Panthers to take wild shots and also forced them to sit freshman 6-2 forward Laila Lancaster for the entirety of the second half.

"She played very smart on defense," said Chamness. "She moved well and if a guard got beat, she was there to help. And she didn't swat at shots and pick up unnecessary fouls."

Kirk had a game-high 15 rebounds.

Hatton will play in the state final Saturday at Bill Harris Arena beginning at 9 a.m. They will take on the winner of Pisgah and St. Luke's. Hatton's last state championship came by defeating Pisgah.

"I have to admit it hasn't really sunk in yet," Chamness said. "I never had a doubt in my mind that we could. But to actually be here, it's amazing, a dream come true."