Pisgah Girls Win Fourth Consecutive State Title

Submitted by Josh Bean, AHSAA Reporter

Photo by Dennis Victory | preps@al.com

BIRMINGHAM –  Pisgah High School’s girls did it again.

Senior Molly Heard scored 23 points and Kallie Tinker had 13 to lead the Lady Eagles (25-6) to their fourth straight girls’ state basketball championship. Pisgah beat Hatton 64-38 in the finals of the Class 2A state tourney Saturday at the Birmingham CrossPlex Bill Harris Arena. The previous titles in the state came in Class 3A.

Pisgah’s fourth title was sealed early after the Eagles (25-6) of Coach Carey Ellison opened  13-6 lead after one quarter and took a 31-13 margin into the locker room at halftime.

The state title was the ninth in school history and the seventh coached by Ellison. It was also the 650th win of his coaching career. His overall record is 650-161. The Eagles won their first two state titles back-to-back 2A titles in 1981 and 1982 with Butch Cassidy serving as the coach. Ellison’s teams have now won seven titles in 1997, 2003, 2005, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021. Heard earned MVP honors with her  game-high 23 points. The senior forward was 9-of-10 at the foul line, nine rebounds and three assists, two blocked shots and four steals. Tinker made two treys among her 13 points and had two steals. Kennedy Barron also had seven points and nine rebounds. The Eagles defense forced 22 Hatton turnovers and won the rebound batted 44-37.