NORTHWEST REGIONAL (CLASS 3A): Butts, No. 8 Holly Pond beat Phil Campbell for spot in Elite 8
Published 4:57 pm Wednesday, February 12, 2025
HANCEVILLE — Madison Butts couldn’t stand the thought of her team’s season ending on Wednesday.
With the sophomore’s terrific performance down the stretch, though, she made sure that didn’t happen.
Butts recorded her team’s final seven points against Phil Campbell, including four clutch shots from the free-throw line, to help the Class 3A No. 8 Broncos earn a 40-37 victory over the Bobcats and advance in the Northwest Regional Tournament at Wallace State.
“I’m very proud that I was able to step up there,” Butts said. “I knew our team was depending on me — and knowing that really made me want to knock those (free throws) down. It was the same routine I do every time. The nerves at this point … it’s just get up there and make them.”
Holly Pond trailed 17-13 at the break after shooting just 24 percent from the field in the first half.
The Green and White’s tough defense, however, kept Phil Campbell within reach.
Trailing by four late, Sadie Nail sank a pair of free throws before the Bobcats answered with a bucket.
Butts took over from there.
She drained a 3-pointer on the ensuing possession and her team didn’t yield another point, allowing her the ability to give the Broncos the lead from the charity stripe.
One defensive stop later allowed Holly Pond to advance to the Elite Eight for the first time since 2014. The Green and White will play No. 1 Lauderdale County on Friday at 3 p.m.
“Coach tells us that defense is our big thing,” Butts said. “That sets our tone. We knew at the end we had to step up and do what coach said.”
Coach Speak
“I’m so proud of these girls. We’re a young team and we lost Ava Thomas on Friday night. She’s been our leading scorer all year and is somebody … we all depend on each other, but I know the girls really look up to her. The fact we could overcome that adversity, especially down the stretch, I just can’t say how proud I am of these kids. We practice for tough situations, but you can’t practice for something like today. There’s not one person who didn’t play and help today.” — Mary Hartline
Top Scorers
Madison Butts (18), Maggie Nail (9), Millie McBee (7)
Record
Holly Pond: 21-8
