Eagles advance to final four
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, February 13, 2002
The Fort Dale Eagles fought their way into the AISA Final Four playoffs last weekend at Faulkner University as they defeated Lee Scott Academy 47-43 in a thriller.
The Eagles were able to defend their lead in the final minutes of the game as Miles Hulick and David Johnson held All-State player Allen Ponder to 21 points.
Brett Paulk was able to put 15 points on the board against the Warriors to help lead the Eagles to victory. Josh Till had nine rebounds to help keep the ball in the Eagles' talons.
Fort Dale led by seven going into the fourth quarter and the Eagles were able to snatch up yet another victory for FDA.
"Miles Hulick and David Johnson did a good job defensively against their leading scorer," Varsity Eagles' Head Coach Reggie Mantooth said.
According to Mantooth, 11 of Ponder's 21 points for the game came during the fourth quarter as the Warriors attempted to battle their way back into the game.
The Eagles now hold an amazing 21-4 record and will now travel to Huntingdon College in Montgomery Friday to face Cottage Hill Academy at 3:30 p.m. The AISA State Championship game is scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday.
The Lady Eagles were not as lucky as they were defeated by Pike Liberal Arts School of Troy Friday. The Fort Dale Ladies fell to the Lady Patriots 38-29 in the state quarterfinals and finished their season with a 14-11 record.
Marcey Adams led the Lady Eagles in scoring, chalking up ten points in the battle against the Lady Patriots.
Coach Mantooth said the varsity Eagles need plenty of support in Friday's match-up and he has high hopes that the Eagles will advance to the championship game.