By Keith Ledbetter. Phil Campbell’s Taylor Pace puts up a shot with Colbert Heights’ Alison Willingham and Kelsey Robinette defending.

By Keith Ledbetter

For the FCT

The Colbert Heights Lady Wildcats advanced to the finals of the Area 16 Championship after edging out Phil Campbell by a score of 50-44 in the semi-finals played Thursday night at Red Bay.

Although six points separated the two at the final buzzer, the equally matched teams battled back and forth for the lead throughout the game.

There was only one point difference at the end of the first quarter and at the end of the first half.

The Lady Bobcats’ Vickie McAlister led Phil Campbell with 15 points on five three-pointers.

McAlister scored two of her threes in the first quarter, knocking down her second one near the buzzer to give the Bobcats an 8-7 lead going into the second.

Colbert Heights held on to a 19-18 lead at halftime.

Phil Campbell took a four-point, 33-29 lead near the end of the third after Madison Hardy connected on a two-point basket, but Colbert Heights’ Tiffany Terry cut the lead by two after hitting a short jumper at the end of the quarter.

The Lady Wildcats took the lead for the final time near the four-minute mark when Destinee Pratt hit back-to-back baskets to give Colbert Heights a 38-35 advantage.

Phil Campbell outscored Colbert Heights in the first and third quarters, but it was the Lady Wildcats’ 19-point fourth quarter that put them over the top for the win.

The Lady Wildcats’ Kelsey Robinette paced the team in the fourth quarter, scoring on two three-pointers and three free-throws.

McAlister led Phil Campbell with 15 points, and Taylor Pace also scored in double digits with 13. Madison Hardy added eight, Elizabeth Benford netted five, and Tori Pace scored three.