In a thrilling Class 2A state semifinal matchup on Monday, Tuscaloosa Academy’s Danilo Stojakovic led the third-ranked Knights to a 72-56 victory over No. 4 Section at the BJCC Legacy Arena in Birmingham. Stojakovic’s dominant performance, with 27 points and 10 rebounds, helped propel his team to their first AHSAA title game in program history.
The Knights, coached by Luke Hutcheson, showcased their defensive prowess throughout the game, holding off a strong third-quarter surge from Section. Despite falling behind by four points in the third, Tuscaloosa Academy rallied behind Stojakovic’s 10 straight points in the final period to secure the win.
Stojakovic’s stellar performance was complemented by Matthew Atkins’ 15 points and Ellis Hamiter’s 13 points. Section’s Jackson Cooper led his team with 20 points, but it was not enough to overcome the Knights’ dominant presence on both ends of the court.
Looking ahead, Tuscaloosa Academy will face top-ranked Providence Christian in the AHSAA Class 2A title game on Friday at the BJCC’s Legacy Arena. With a mix of individual talent and cohesive teamwork, the Knights are poised to make a strong push for their first state championship in basketball.
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