By BAKER ELLIS / Sports Editor

MONTGOMERY – Montevallo led for much of the day against Handley in the 4A Sweet Sixteen matchup at Alabama State on Feb. 23. The Bulldogs held a 41-32 lead entering the fourth quarter of the contest, before being outscored 18-7 in the final period, which made the score 49-49 and forced overtime. In overtime, Montevallo was outscored by a single point, and the Bulldogs’ season ended with a 57-56 loss in the Central regional semifinals.

Handley had size on Montevallo, and the Tigers used the formula that has been successful at times this year against this Bulldog bunch, namely, pound the ball inside until something good happens. When Undreaz Lilly fouled out in the fourth quarter, Handley was able to take advantage of the size disadvantage even more.

“When Undreaz fouled out in the fourth they started pounding it inside,” Montevallo head coach Greg Dicksinon said. “They were bigger than us already and really worked it inside late in the game.”

Ahmad Edwards led Montevallo in scoring with 13 points and also had seven boards as well, while the two main offensive weapons for the Bulldogs, Tavarus Hall and Te’ Smith, went a combined 5-for-16 from the floor and scored 18 points combined. Lilly added 10 points as well. Handley’s Tyrese Heard, listed at 6-foot-4-inches and 235 pounds, had 21 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Tigers.

While the moment was tough to accept, Dickinson said he will remember his 2015-16 team fondly.

“This was a fun group,” Dickinson said. “I know the beginning of the year no one expected us to do this. We graduated eight seniors last year off a good team. But this year we had a great year. Just to see the fight that this group had was great, they really battled all year.”

Montevallo finished the season with a 22-8 record.