AUGUSTA — Hayden Madore had 16 points and seven rebounds to lead the Hall Dale Bulldogs to a 57-42 win over Stearns in the Class C girls basketball state championship game played Saturday night at the Augusta Civic Center.
Hall Dale never trailed despite Stearns going on a 7-0 run to even the score at the end of the first quarter. The Bulldogs went on a 7-0 spurt in the first quarter to take an 8-1 lead, before the Stearns run tied it to end the quarter.
The Bulldogs went on another 7-0 run to start the second quarter and take a lead they wouldn’t give back. The Bulldogs held a 23-17 lead at halftime behind 10 points from Madore.
With Stearns standout Miss Basketball semifinalist Alisyn Alley out with an injury, Hall Dale outscored the Minutemen 22-6 in the third quarter to take a commanding 45-23 lead.
KK Wills added 12 points (2 three-pointers) and four rebounds for the Bulldogs. It is the first state championship since 2011 for Hall Dale, who finishes an undefeated season at 22-0.
Kelly Farber and Makayla Anderson had 13 points to lead the Minutemen. Alley recorded four points, six rebounds, four blocks, three assists, and two steals in only about 10 minutes of play. Stearns ends their season as state runner-up at 16-4.
