CCHS girls reach Sweet 16 for first time in school history

Published 11:52 am Monday, February 12, 2024

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By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

The Chilton County High School varsity girl’s basketball team made history on Feb. 9, taking down Hueytown High School in the sub-regional of the AHSAA Class 6A state basketball playoffs 64-53. The win clinched the first Sweet 16 for the varsity girl’s basketball program in the school’s history, and in head coach Rickey Pulliam and his staff’s second year leading the team.

“It is hard to describe, because when we came in we set expectations for the girls to win the area championship, then win a playoff game,” Pulliam said. “It is just amazing to me how these girls have bought into what we have put in, and what we wanted to accomplish when we first got there. It has been an amazing experience, it is big for the girls and Chilton County too and it has been a big buy in on the girl’s part.”

The Tigers led 27-19 at halftime and controlled the second half to win handily over Hueytown. Iasia Anderson and Ishunti Brown each posted 17 points to lead CCHS. Anderson added 10 assists, eight rebounds and seven steals to her totals, and Brown added 15 rebounds to hers. Ivyonna Varner and Tania Wyatt were also in double figures for CCHS with 14 and 12 points, respectively. Tyeshia Williams grabbed 22 rebounds for the Tigers.

The win sets up a matchup with Pelham High School on Feb. 15 in the Sweet 16 for CCHS.

“Our mindset is going to stay the same, and we do not want to go in there and make this game bigger than what it is,” Pulliam said. “I think we have a good enough team to compete, and we are keeping the same focus. We are treating it like a normal game, and are going to go in and do the same thing we have been doing this year, and that is playing good basketball.”

Chilton County and Pelham are scheduled to tip off at noon on Feb. 15 at Bill Harris Arena in Birmingham.