In the third quarter, something just clicked.

Gardendale had struggled with Jackson-Olin in the first half, scraping out a one-point lead at halftime of their Class 6A Area 11 semifinal game Thursday at Minor.

But that changed after the break, as the Rockets went on a 15-1 run. That helped send them on their way to a 50-25 victory and a berth in Saturday afternoon’s area finals against the host Tigers.

“We really didn’t change anything. We just kept hammering the same nail in, and it got through a little bit,” Gardendale coach Ryan Griffin said. “We got a few breaks, made a couple of shots, got a lead and then forced them to take some shots they didn’t make.”

The Mustangs didn’t score a field goal in the third quarter until a lay-up on a fast break with one second left.

Kasey Jones struggled early, scoring a single point in the first half, but kicked into gear after intermission to finish with 13 points. Haley Hardman added 11 points and 12 rebounds.

Jamea Nelson led Jackson-Olin with eight points.

The win also gives the Rockets a spot in the sub-regional round next Thursday. A win over Minor in the area finals would give Gardendale home-court advantage over the Area 13 runner-up, likely to be Bessemer City. A loss would send them on the road to play the Area 13 winner, where second-ranked Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa is heavily favored.

Class 5A — Walker 57, Mortimer Jordan 53: At Hayden, Blue Devils point guard Haylie McCleney scored 31 points and 10 rebounds, but fouled out with 2:35 left, and the Vikings came back with a 10-1 run to win.

Alysa Amberson had nine points for the Devils.

Breanna Marbury had 16 points and seven rebounds for Walker, and Sidney Cooper added 15 points, eight rebounds and four steals.

Class 2A — Altamont 71, Fultondale 27: The Wildcats season ended with a whimper on the Knights’ home court Thursday.

Fultondale was held to just six points in the first half, 25 points behind Altamont.

Briana Griffin led the Wildcats in her final game, scoring six points.

Morgan Smoke led the Knights with 25 points, including four 3-point baskets. Junior center Yorisha Bryant added 15 points.

Late games can be found at www.njeffersonnews.com.

LATE UPDATES:

Class 5A — Hayden 60, Curry 17: At Hayden, Krista Stricklin scored 21 points and Mdison Durham added 14 as the Wildcats put themselves into Saturday’s finals against Walker.

Class 4A — Corner 51, Fayette County 26: The Yellow Jackets were led by Shennen Tolbert’s 18 points, plus 17 by Preslie Cruce, as they advance to Monday night’s finals against Haleyville.