Matt Vines

EAST POINT – Both the Riverdale Academy girls and boys basketball teams pushed through the Class A South Regional Tournament this past week and advanced to the Class A State Tournament this coming week.

The Lady Rebels (26-5) lifted the regional title by storming through their bracket, blasting Claiborne Academy 77-36 in the title game Saturday at Riverdale Academy.

Riverdale eased through the quarterfinals 69-17 against Humphreys Academy and 65-44 over Briarfield Academy in the semifinals.

“We shot the ball well all week,” said coach Trey Pittman. “We had extremely balanced scoring with different players stepping up every game.”

The boys won their quarterfinals contest 73-45 against Mt. Salus Christian, securing their spot in the upcoming state tournament with a guaranteed top-four finish in the regionals.

The Rebels (4-13) lost in the semifinals and in the third-place game, placing fourth in the tournament.

Four girls – Mary Claire Jones, Makayla Pickett, Julia Grace Riggs and Hanna Huddleston – were voted to the all-tournament team.

Tanner Carlisle represented the boys on the all-tournament team.

The girls are a No. 1 seed in the upcoming eight-team Class A state tournament at Columbus Christian.

They face No. 4 seed Columbus Christian on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

The boys play directly after as the No. 4 seed Rebels take on No. 1 seed Columbus Christian.

Matt Vines