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Photo by Erin Nelson
The Huskies celebrate after defeating Vestavia Hills 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 Huskies celebrate after defeating Vestavia Hills 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 Huskies celebrate after defeating Vestavia Hills 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 Huskies celebrate after defeating Vestavia Hills 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 Huskies erupt after defeating Vestavia Hills 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 Huskies react after defeating Vestavia Hills 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. Starnes Media
Hewitt-Trussville’s Amiya Payne (32) shoots for 2-points as the Huskies top Vestavia Hills 48-46 in the AHSAA Class 7A Northeast Regional final at Pete Matthews Coliseum at Jacksonville State University on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. The Huskies 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 Husky student section erupts after Hewitt-Trussville defeated Vestavia Hills 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 head coach Tonya Hunter gives directions from 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 Husky student section rallies behind Hewitt-Trussville as they battle in the final minutes against Vestavia Hills 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) dribbles 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
The Huskies react after defeating Vestavia Hills 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) 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
The Hewitt-Trussville bench reacts 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 Husky student section erupts after Hewitt-Trussville defeated Vestavia Hills 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 Huskies erupt after defeating Vestavia Hills 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 Huskies erupt after defeating Vestavia Hills 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 Huskies erupt as they head to the student section after Hewitt-Trussville defeated Vestavia Hills 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
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
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
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
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
The Husky student section rallies behind Hewitt-Trussville as they battle in the final minutes against Vestavia Hills 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’ 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
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
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.
JACKSONVILLE – Go and be great.
That’s what coaches Tonya Hunter and Katie Parr reminded Amiya Payne in the huddle before the final play.
With just over four seconds to play, 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 the Hewitt-Trussville High School girls basketball team to a 48-46 win over Vestavia Hills on Wednesday morning 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 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.
But now, Hewitt heads off to the state final four next week, and Hunter is leaning on seniors Payne, Amir Brown and Londyn Johnson to lead the way.
“I’m riding the bus with them,” she said.
