Eagles fall short in maiden final four trip

February 27, 2020

6:42 PM

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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media

AHSAA State Semifinal boys 7A

Oak Mountain’s Noah Young (2) puts an arm around his teammate Zane Nelson (0) following an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Oak Mountain and Lee-Montgomery on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Eagles fell to the Generals 65-57. Photo by Erin Nelson

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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media

AHSAA State Semifinal boys 7A

Oak Mountain’s Zane Nelson (0) moves toward the goal guarded by Lee-Montgomery’s Deyunkrea Lewis (5) during the first half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Oak Mountain and Lee-Montgomery on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. Photo by Erin Nelson

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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media

AHSAA State Semifinal boys 7A

Oak Mountain’s Trey Sullivan (5) shoots a layup guarded by Lee-Montgomery’s Jamari Smith (1) in the second half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Oak Mountain and Lee-Montgomery on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Eagles fell to the Generals 65-57. Photo by Erin Nelson

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AHSAA State Semifinal boys 7A

Oak Mountain’s Colin Patrick (10) in the second half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Oak Mountain and Lee-Montgomery on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Eagles fell to the Generals 65-57. Photo by Erin Nelson

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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media

AHSAA State Semifinal boys 7A

Oak Mountain’s Trey Sullivan (5) shoots a layup guarded by in the second half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Oak Mountain and Lee-Montgomery on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Eagles fell to the Generals 65-57. Photo by Erin Nelson

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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media

AHSAA State Semifinal boys 7A

Oak Mountain’s Zane Nelson (0) shoots for 2-points guarded by Lee-Montgomery’s Nicholas Barnes (11) in the second half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Oak Mountain and Lee-Montgomery on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Eagles fell to the Generals 65-57. Photo by Erin Nelson

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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media

AHSAA State Semifinal boys 7A

Oak Mountain’s Zane Nelson (0) shoots a layup in the second half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Oak Mountain and Lee-Montgomery on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Eagles fell to the Generals 65-57. Photo by Erin Nelson

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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media

AHSAA State Semifinal boys 7A

Oak Mountain’s Evan Smith (1) dribbles the ball downcourt guarded by Lee-Montgomery’s De’Marshia Davis (2) in the second half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Oak Mountain and Lee-Montgomery on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Eagles fell to the Generals 65-57. Photo by Erin Nelson

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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media

AHSAA State Semifinal boys 7A

Oak Mountain head coach Chris Love reacts after a play in the second half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Oak Mountain and Lee-Montgomery on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Eagles fell to the Generals 65-57. Photo by Erin Nelson

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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media

AHSAA State Semifinal boys 7A

Oak Mountain’s Zane Nelson (0) shoots a layup guarded by Lee-Montgomery’s Deyunkrea Lewis (5) in the second half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Oak Mountain and Lee-Montgomery on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Eagles fell to the Generals 65-57. Photo by Erin Nelson

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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media

AHSAA State Semifinal boys 7A

Oak Mountain’s Wilder Evers (4) guards Lee-Montgomery’s De’Marquiese Miles (15) in the second half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Oak Mountain and Lee-Montgomery on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Eagles fell to the Generals 65-57. Photo by Erin Nelson

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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media

AHSAA State Semifinal boys 7A

Oak Mountain’s Zane Nelson (0) guards Lee-Montgomery’s Deyunkrea Lewis (5) in the second half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Oak Mountain and Lee-Montgomery on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Eagles fell to the Generals 65-57. Photo by Erin Nelson

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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media

AHSAA State Semifinal boys 7A

Oak Mountain’s Evan Smith (1) and Oak Mountain’s Wilder Evers (4) guard Lee-Montgomery’s De’Marquiese Miles (15) in the second half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Oak Mountain and Lee-Montgomery on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Eagles fell to the Generals 65-57. Photo by Erin Nelson

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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media

AHSAA State Semifinal boys 7A

Lee-Montgomery’s De’Marshia Davis (2) shoots a 3-pointer guarded by Oak Mountain’s Evan Smith (1) in the first half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Oak Mountain and Lee-Montgomery on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Eagles fell to the Generals 65-57. Photo by Erin Nelson

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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media

AHSAA State Semifinal boys 7A

Oak Mountain’s Trey Sullivan (5) shoots a layup guarded by Lee-Montgomery’s De’Marquiese Miles (15) in the second half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Oak Mountain and Lee-Montgomery on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Eagles fell to the Generals 65-57. Photo by Erin Nelson

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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media

AHSAA State Semifinal boys 7A

Oak Mountain’s Noah Young (2) shoots for 3-points in the second half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Oak Mountain and Lee-Montgomery on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Eagles fell to the Generals 65-57. Photo by Erin Nelson

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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media

AHSAA State Semifinal boys 7A

The Eagles walk off the court following an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Oak Mountain and Lee-Montgomery on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Eagles fell to the Generals 65-57. Photo by Erin Nelson

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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media

AHSAA State Semifinal boys 7A

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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media

AHSAA State Semifinal boys 7A

Oak Mountain’s Zane Nelson (0) drives the ball toward the goal guarded by Lee-Montgomery’s Nicholas Barnes (11) in the second half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Oak Mountain and Lee-Montgomery on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Eagles fell to the Generals 65-57. Photo by Erin Nelson

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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media

AHSAA State Semifinal boys 7A

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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media

AHSAA State Semifinal boys 7A

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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media

AHSAA State Semifinal boys 7A

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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media

AHSAA State Semifinal boys 7A

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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media

AHSAA State Semifinal boys 7A

Oak Mountain’s Wilder Evers (4) shoots for 2-points in the second half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Oak Mountain and Lee-Montgomery on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Eagles fell to the Generals 65-57. Photo by Erin Nelson

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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media

AHSAA State Semifinal boys 7A

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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media

AHSAA State Semifinal boys 7A

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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media

AHSAA State Semifinal boys 7A

Oak Mountain’s Zane Nelson (0) moves to make a play guarded by Lee-Montgomery’s Nicholas Barnes (11) in the second half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Oak Mountain and Lee-Montgomery on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Eagles fell to the Generals 65-57. Photo by Erin Nelson

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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media

AHSAA State Semifinal boys 7A

Oak Mountain’s Evan Smith (1) guards Lee-Montgomery’s De’Marshia Davis (2) during the first half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Oak Mountain and Lee-Montgomery on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. Photo by Erin Nelson

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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media

AHSAA State Semifinal boys 7A

Oak Mountain’s Zane Nelson (0) moves toward the goal guarded by Lee-Montgomery’s Jamal Albritton (22) during the first half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Oak Mountain and Lee-Montgomery on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. Photo by Erin Nelson

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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media

AHSAA State Semifinal boys 7A

Oak Mountain’s Noah Young (2) shoots a layup guarded by Lee-Montgomery’s Jamal Albritton (22) during the first half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Oak Mountain and Lee-Montgomery on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. Photo by Erin Nelson

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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media

AHSAA State Semifinal boys 7A

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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media

AHSAA State Semifinal boys 7A

Oak Mountain’s Noah Young (2) moves toward the goal guarded by Lee-Montgomery’s Jamal Albritton (22) during the first half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Oak Mountain and Lee-Montgomery on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. Photo by Erin Nelson

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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media

AHSAA State Semifinal boys 7A

Oak Mountain’s Brady Dunn (13) shoots for 3-points guarded by Lee-Montgomery’s Dovonta Williams (10) during the first half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Oak Mountain and Lee-Montgomery on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. Photo by Erin Nelson

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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media

AHSAA State Semifinal boys 7A

Oak Mountain’s Zane Nelson (0) shoots for 2-points during the first half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Oak Mountain and Lee-Montgomery on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. Photo by Erin Nelson

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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media

AHSAA State Semifinal boys 7A

Oak Mountain’s Zane Nelson (0) passes the ball guarded by Lee-Montgomery’s Ci’re Nettles (24) during the first half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Oak Mountain and Lee-Montgomery on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. Photo by Erin Nelson

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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media

AHSAA State Semifinal boys 7A

Oak Mountain’s Will Shaver (32) dunks the ball during the first half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Oak Mountain and Lee-Montgomery on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. Photo by Erin Nelson

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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media

AHSAA State Semifinal boys 7A

Oak Mountain’s Noah Young (2) shoots for 2-points during the first half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Oak Mountain and Lee-Montgomery on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. Photo by Erin Nelson

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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media

AHSAA State Semifinal boys 7A

Oak Mountain’s Evan Smith (1) dribbles the ball downcourt in the first half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Oak Mountain and Lee-Montgomery on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. Photo by Erin Nelson

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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media

AHSAA State Semifinal boys 7A

Oak Mountain’s Noah Young (2) passes the ball during the first half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Oak Mountain and Lee-Montgomery on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. Photo by Erin Nelson

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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media

AHSAA State Semifinal boys 7A

Oak Mountain’s Trey Sullivan (5) eyes a loose ball alongside3 Lee-Montgomery’s De’Marshia Davis (2) during the first half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Oak Mountain and Lee-Montgomery on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. Photo by Erin Nelson

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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media

AHSAA State Semifinal boys 7A

Oak Mountain’s Brady Dunn (13) shoots for 3-poinst during the first half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Oak Mountain and Lee-Montgomery on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. Photo by Erin Nelson

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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media

AHSAA State Semifinal boys 7A

Oak Mountain’s Zane Nelson (0) guards Lee-Montgomery’s D. Cupleton (0) during the first half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Oak Mountain and Lee-Montgomery on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. Photo by Erin Nelson

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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media

AHSAA State Semifinal boys 7A

Oak Mountain’s Trey Sullivan (5) reaches up to rebound the ball before Lee-Montgomery’s Deyunkrea Lewis (5) during the first half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Oak Mountain and Lee-Montgomery on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. Photo by Erin Nelson

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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media

AHSAA State Semifinal boys 7A

during the first half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Oak Mountain and Lee-Montgomery on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. Photo by Erin Nelson

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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media

AHSAA State Semifinal boys 7A

Lee-Montgomery’s Ci’re Nettles (24) dribbles the ball guarded by Oak Mountain’s Wilder Evers (4) during the first half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Oak Mountain and Lee-Montgomery on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. Photo by Erin Nelson

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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media

AHSAA State Semifinal boys 7A

Oak Mountain’s Evan Smith (1) moves toward the goal guarded by Lee-Montgomery’s De’Marshia Davis (2) during the first half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Oak Mountain and Lee-Montgomery on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. Photo by Erin Nelson

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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media

AHSAA State Semifinal boys 7A

Oak Mountain’s Zane Nelson (0) passes the ball guarded by Lee-Montgomery’s Deyunkrea Lewis (5) during the first half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Oak Mountain and Lee-Montgomery on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. Photo by Erin Nelson

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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media

AHSAA State Semifinal boys 7A

Oak Mountain head coach Chris Love calls a play during the first half of an AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Oak Mountain and Lee-Montgomery on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. Photo by Erin Nelson

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Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media

AHSAA State Semifinal boys 7A

Oak Mountain’s Evan Smith (1) reaches out to console Zane Nelson (0) following the AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal game between Oak Mountain and Lee-Montgomery on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Eagles fell to the Generals 65-57. Photo by Erin Nelson

BIRMINGHAM – The Eagles really wanted to get to the top of the ladder.

They had steadily climbed it over the last month, winning the area title, area tournament and regional tournament.

After each of those milestones, the next step on that proverbial ladder was reached by the Oak Mountain High School boys basketball team.

At the BJCC’s Legacy Arena on Thursday morning, a 65-57 loss to Lee-Montgomery in the Class 7A semifinals put an end to that ascent.

Oak Mountain didn’t make it all the way to the top, but the Eagles climbed further than any other team in school history by advancing to the state’s final four.

“It’s been a whirlwind the last three weeks for our school and our community, and that’s great,” Oak Mountain head coach Chris Love said. “But these kids, you can’t ask for a better group of kids or a better season.”

Lee-Montgomery (32-1) showed that its record is no fluke, as the Generals used elite athleticism and suffocating defense to pull away in the second half. Lee’s only previous loss was to Pinson Valley, last year’s Class 6A state champions.

“The start of the second half where we had a couple of lost possessions, a couple turnovers that they turned into quick points, that gave them the separation that they got there,” Love said.

Despite having never played under the bright lights in the state semifinals, Oak Mountain didn’t blink early on. The Eagles held brief leads in a back-and-forth first half. The game was tied at 14-14 after the first quarter, and Lee clung to a 24-23 edge at halftime.

Lee came out in the third quarter with a quick 9-2 burst to open up the lead a little, then scored the last seven points of the period in a 52-second span, capped by a Demarshia Davis half-court heave at the buzzer to make it 46-34.

Oak Mountain trailed by as many as 17 points in the fourth quarter, but a late string of 3-pointers cut the gap to as little as six points.

Zane Nelson starred for the Eagles, scoring 25 points on 8-of-14 shooting (5-of-7 on 3s). He also added six rebounds and four assists.

“It was a great senior year,” Nelson said. “I’m proud of all my teammates. I wanted to lay the foundation and help them grow upon it over the next few years.”

Wilder Evers joined Nelson in double figures with 10 points. Will Shaver and Noah Young each grabbed eight rebounds for Oak Mountain.

“Situations like these is a time to learn,” Young said. “We’ve learned from our mistakes and how to persevere. It doesn’t feel good right now, but it’s something that you to have to go through eventually. We need to fight through it and it will motivate you in the future.”

De’marquiese Miles led Lee with 20 points.

Prior to Thursday, Oak Mountain’s last loss came in double overtime to Hoover on Jan. 17. The Eagles won their last two area contests, including a thrilling 64-61 win over Thompson on Jan. 24 to clinch the area title.

In the Area 5 tournament, the Eagles rushed past Tuscaloosa County and outlasted Hoover in overtime on Feb. 7.

At the 7A Northeast Regional at Jacksonville State University, Oak Mountain blew past Huntsville 60-36 on Feb. 13 and earned a 60-51 win over Sparkman on Feb. 18 to reach the state final four.

Nelson, Trey Sullivan and Luke Love were the Eagles’ three seniors. Oak Mountain finishes with a 22-9 record.

“The thing that just gets me is that we won’t be together tomorrow,” Chris Love said. “This is the last time. That hurts. But I’m so proud.”