The Chilton Christian Academy girls got the monkey off their backs.

CCA beat Northside (Dothan), 44-36, on Thursday in an ACEA sub-state game. It was the sixth straight year the teams had met in such a situation, and the first time CCA had won.

“This is the first CCA girls team to go to state in Division I,” coach Todd Stephens said. “We have won state twice in the smaller Division II. We are the smallest school in Division I, as well, so we have definitely earned our spot.”

The Patriots (15-5) will play in the state final four tournament at 2:30 p.m. on Feb. 19 against the Victory Christian-Flint Hill winner.

The hosts led the whole way but needed Summer Hall to drain two 3-pointers—six of her team-high 13 points—in the fourth period to seal the win.

Hall also recorded nine steals and eight rebounds.

Greda Brock posted a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds, and Destiny Richards was close with nine points and 15 rebounds.