Area 14 Championship Recap: Guntersville Shocks Scottsboro

The third time was the charm.   After dropping both regular-season matchups to Scottsboro, Guntersville flipped the script when it mattered most, pulling off a statement upset in the Area 14 Championship. And at the center of it all was an 8th grader who played far beyond her years.   [player_tooltip player_id='1324464' first='Kenna'd' last='Buie'] delivered a monster performance, taking control of the game with confidence, poise, and relentless energy. In a championship atmosphere against a team that had beaten them twice, Buie set the tone early and never let up.   Guntersville's response wasn't just about revenge — it was about growth. They adjusted, executed, and rose to the moment on the biggest stage. After two regular-season setbacks, they proved championships aren't won in December or January — they're won when it counts most.    [player_tooltip player_id='1324464' first='Kenna'd' last='Buie'] | 5'7” 8th Grade Point Guard   [player_tooltip player_id='1324464' first='Kenna'd' last='Buie'] delivered a statement performance, pouring in 28 points and grabbing 4 rebounds, while going an impressive 9-for-10 from the free-throw line. The young point guard showcased why she's considered a rising name, dominating the game with confidence and control.   Buie is a true two-way, three-level scorer who kept defenders on their heels all night. She consistently exploded past defenders, attacking the paint with speed and purpose. When defenders tried to absorb contact, she used her strong frame to power through finishes and draw fouls.   Once she established herself inside, Buie stretched the floor — knocking down perimeter shots, including momentum-swinging threes and two step-back dagger threes that shifted the energy of the game.     Addison Hammond finished with 13 points, showing flashes of a polished, confident scorer. A true three-level threat, Hammond was at her best operating out of ball screens, reading coverage and making the right play.   When defenders chased over, she attacked the lane and finished at the rim. When they went under, she made them pay from deep, stepping into rhythm threes with confidence. Hammond's ability to read screens and take what the defense gives her highlights her feel for the game.     6 points | 6 rebounds | 3 blocks   [player_tooltip player_id='1227338' first='Bristol' last='Cook']'s impact went far beyond the box score. The 6'4” freshman was doubled almost every touch in the paint and had her offensive struggles because of it, but her presence alone shifted the defense.   Where Cook truly made her mark was on the defensive end. She made life difficult for arguably the best player in 5A, consistently altering shots, protecting the rim, and blocking attempts around the basket. Her length and timing changed the game.   Even on a night where scoring wasn't easy, Cook proved she can anchor a defense and control the paint — and that's rare for a freshman.     18 points | 4 made threes   Tatum Shelton showed why she's one of the most dangerous shooters on the floor. Knocking down four three-pointers, she provided elite floor spacing and forced the defense to extend well beyond the arc.   An elite deep-range shooter, Shelton's gravity changes the game. The moment she crosses half court, she has to be accounted for. Her ability to stretch the defense opens driving lanes for teammates and punishes any late closeouts.   When she's in rhythm, she doesn't just make shots — she shifts momentum.     14 points | 4 rebounds | 3 assists   [player_tooltip player_id='1227637' first='Caroline' last='Dawson'] delivered a poised, all-around performance, finishing with 14 points while impacting the game in multiple ways. A true three-level scorer, she made timely baskets that kept momentum on her team's side.   Dawson scored in a variety of ways — sharp basket cuts for layups, curling off flare screens for jumpers, and slipping backdoor for easy finishes. Her movement without the ball makes her extremely tough to defend, constantly forcing defenders to react and communicate.   Add in her rebounding and playmaking, and Dawson proved she's more than just a scorer — she's a smart, versatile guard who understands how to win possessions.     7 points | 9 rebounds | 6 assists   It wasn't the usual scoring night we're accustomed to seeing from Isabelle Nelson, but her impact was felt all over the floor. Nelson filled the stat sheet with 9 rebounds and 6 assists, showing her value goes far beyond putting the ball in the basket.   Her ability to playmake from the forward spot creates easy opportunities for teammates, and defensively she anchored the paint — altering shots, protecting the rim, and controlling the glass.   Even on a quieter scoring night, Nelson proved once again she's a do-it-all forward who influences the game in winning ways.

The third time was the charm.