Lady Patriots end magical season as state runner-up
BIRMINGHAM – Bob Jones girls’ basketball head coach Sherell Robertson said it best. “We are one of two teams left standing.” Her comments resonates through the Madison community as the Lady Patriots (27-7) completed their 20252026 season as state runner-up after falling to the Hoover Lady Bucs 61-43 in the Class 7A State Championship game at the AHSAA State Tournament held in Birmingham.
The Bucs (35-1) won their sixth consecutive state title while the Patriots reached the title game for the first time since 2011. Hoover was led by Tournament MVP Khloe Ford who had 29 points, 10 rebounds and 2 blocked shots in the title game.
For Bob Jones, which never led in the game against Hoover, was led by Tulane signee Ja’Kyah Smith with 14 points and 8 rebounds, Asia Robinson added 12 and Ella Watts 4 points.
“Nobody wanted us to be here and we fought our way through. Even though we didn’t win, I’m proud of our team,” said Smith.
“I think that we come in and listen to Coach (Robertson) even through the hard practices and adversity. We have chemistry on and off the court,” said Robinson.
The goal all along for the Lady Patriots was to step on the floor at the title game and give them the chance to claim its first state championship trophy since 2011 winning the Class 6A title.
“It means a lot. That’s the standard. We want to be here and win. I want to win,” said Robertson. “It’s not good enough to just be here, as the expectation is to make it to the state championship every year. I’m glad we made it here, but the new goal is to win a blue map.”
The close matchup with Hoover was through the first quarter, but Hoover outscored Bob Jones 15-5 in quarter number two and the Bucs never looked back. The two teams matched closely in most game statistics, but for in the turnover department where Bob Jones had 23 mistakes which led to Hoover scoring 32 points off those miscues. Bob Jones could not make up some of those point differentials hitting just 2 of 9 from the threepoint zone.
The Class 7A All-State Tournament Team selections included Smith and Watts.
“Coach came in and taught me how to be a good leader. Taught me to be aggressive and get through challenges. Our team has become so close, and I’m grateful for the bond we’ve built,” said Smith, the 5-foot-10 guard who will play in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game on Saturday (March 14).
Bob Jones vs. Auburn Class 7A Semi-Final
Bob Jones made a comeback that will not soon be forgotten in the semi-final battle against Auburn (24-6) winning the game 65-63.
Down by as many as 15-points in the first half, due mostly to 12 turnovers, which in turn the Tigers scored 21 points off those Patriots mistakes, Bob Jones showed true grit cutting the Auburn lead to nine at halftime and came out like a new team in the second half outscoring Auburn 34-23 in the second half, and with some superb defense by the likes of Alaya Obianozie and Ella Watts took the lead in the third quarter on a Jael Robinson layup and took control to the end.
Bob Jones was led by Ella Watts’ 29 points while Ja’Kyah Smith added 24. The most telling statistic of the game was the fact Bob Jones was 97-percent from the free throw line while Auburn shot just 47-percent missing 16 shots from the stripe.
