Cornerstone 71, Wadley 53: Eagles repeat as 1A boys Central Regional champ

Kelton Wilson said he and his teammates often arrive before school to work on their shooting and often stay after practice to "get up some shots."

The extra work paid off.

The Eagles (24-7) made nine 3-pointers, while Wadley (13-8) made none, and that was a big reason Cornerstone earned a 71-53 victory over in today's Class 1A boys Central Regional championship. The win sends Cornerstone to next week's state semifinals in Birmingham for the second straight season.

"I'll open the gym before school every day if it means we hit nine 3s every game," first-year Cornerstone coach Wiley Edwards said.

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Cornerstone jumped to a double-digit lead by the end of the first quarter and appeared on cruise control before Wadley rallied and cut the deficit to 55-43 late in the third quarter.

The Eagles then put the game away and led by as many as 19 points in the fourth quarter.

"I'm so proud of this team," Edwards said. "When a team makes it to the final our, sometimes the next year it's easy to forget how hard it is to get there. These guys work every day."

Stat sheet: Eriq Williams had 14 points.

By the numbers: 19, Cornerstone forced 19 turnovers. … 14, Cornerstone had 14 assists on 28 baskets. … 19, combined missed free throws. Both teams shot less than 50 percent on free throws, with Cornerstone going 6-for-15 and Wadley finishing 9-for-19.

What's next?: Cornerstone plays Monday in the Class 1A state semifinals at the BJCC's Legacy Arena.