By BAKER ELLIS / Sports Editor

MONTGOMERY – The regular season is over for the AISA and postseason play started with abandon this week. Coosa Valley, the No. 8 team in the state across the AISA despite being the smallest AAA school in the state, matched up against in-county opponent Kingwood in the first round of the AAA Region 1 tournament, which took place at Macon East Academy in Montgomery. After a slow start, Coosa Valley outpaced Kingwood over the final three quarters to get a 46-37 win and advance to the second round of the regional tournament.

Coosa Valley and Kingwood were tied after the end of the first quarter at 8-8. After a low-scoring opening period, the Lady Rebels opened things up behind a strong second quarter effort from Denise Niven. Niven hit three of six three-point shots in the second quarter as Coosa Valley scored 16 second-quarter points while subsequently holding the Lady Lions to just five. After taking a 24-13 lead heading into the half, Coosa Valley never relinquished the lead the rest of the way.

Niven led all scorers on the night with 23 points while Kalei Merrifield added 14 points and 10 rebounds and Sarah Warren chipped in four points while pulling down an eye-popping 20 boards. Kingwood was led by Keelie Yowe who poured in 21 of the Lady Lion’s 37 points.

Coosa Valley advanced to 10-5 on the season and secured a spot in the state tournament with the win over Kingwood.