By BY BRUCE HIXON – SPORTS EDITOR
While the contributions of seniors Wade Jackson, Terrence Walker, Jamal Middleton, Kelly Stallworth, Jeremy Curry and Terrelle Brooks played a huge role in securing T.R. Miller's first Final Four berth since 1994, their time with the Tigers is now over.
While much of his supporting cast from this year's team will be gone, Brandon Andrews said it was important for him to reach the Final Four as a junior. Andrews led the Tigers with 17 points, 15 of which came in the last eight minutes and one second.
T.R. Miller fans who attended the game were dwarfed in size by a large turnout by Douglas. Douglas fans completely filled the lower side section on one side and about one-fourth on the other side. T.R. Miller fans filled a small corner and had a few other fans scattered throughout the stands.
The 25 games T.R. Miller played headed into the state tournament were the fewest of any of the 24 boys teams in the six classes. Parkway Christian in Class 1A had played the second fewest headed into the Final Four with 27. By comparison, T.R. Miller's opponent, Douglas, had played the most with 35 games along with Class 6A participant Spain Park.
Two Final Four girls teams had played fewer games than T.R. Miller's boys. Class 3A participant Washington County entered state play with 23 contests, while Class 1A member McIntosh had played 24.
Bank of Brewton Tournament champion J.F. Shields won the Class 1A state championship Thursday when it beat St. Jude 93-76.
J.F. Shields came rallied from 14 points down in the second half to beat the T.R. Miller 50-48 in overtime for the championship of that December tournament.