Sports Editor

Notasulga’s sister duo of Lasheena and Shanika Fields scored 16 and 17 points, respectively, to help the Lady Blue Devils down Pleasant Home in the girl’s Class 1A Southeast Regional Finals on Friday.

The loss overshadowed a superb performance by Lady Eagles’ center Britni Ballard. Ballard scored 29 points and grabbed 8 rebounds to lead Pleasant Home.

Ashley Cross was the only other Lady Eagles’ player to score in double figures, finishing with 13.

A close game throughout the first half, a 3-pointer by Notasulga’s S. Fields and a layup by Almeisha Purter gave the Lady Blue Devils a 26-21 advantage at the intermission.

Ballard opened the third quarter with a jumper for Pleasant Home, but Notasulga took off on a 7-0 run, taking a 33-23 lead in the first two minutes of the period.

The Lady Blue Devils led, 41-35 at the end of the third. Ballard, who had just six points in the first half, scored 12 of her 29 total points in the third quarter.

Three straight free throws by Ballard cut the Notasulga lead to 46-42 with still 3:37 left in the game.

But after that, Pleasant Home fell into another scoring draught and Notasulga scored four straight points to take an eight point, 50-42 lead.

Ashlie Stallings knocked down a jumper and then Ballard scored back-to-back baskets, cutting the Notasulga lead to 51-48 with 17 seconds remaining in the game.

The Lady Blue Devils helped Pleasant Home by hitting just one free throw attempt in eight trips, prior to Ballard’s final basket.

However, L. Fields sank the front end of two foul shots with six seconds left in the game to give Notasulga the victory.

Notasulga (20-3)moves on to the Class 1A Girl’s Final Four in Birmingham next week. Pleasant Home ends the season with an 18-10 record.