BIRMINGHAM — Trey Kellogg calmly stepped to the free throw line and sank three clutch shots in the final 14 seconds, lifting defending champion Covenant Christian to a 50-46 win over Oakwood Adventist Academy in a thrilling Class 1A boys basketball state championship game on Thursday night.
The win gives Covenant back-to-back state titles under coach Brett Waldrep.
Kellogg, a junior, made two free throws with 14 seconds left to put Covenant up 49-46 after Oakwood had rallied within one point. The Mustangs then missed the front end of a 1-and-1, and Kellogg secured the rebound. He was fouled immediately and knocked down one more free throw with under a second left to seal the victory.
“I don’t even know what to say. It is really settling in,” Waldrep said afterwards. “We knew it was going to be a really tough game, but it was a great game. We got into some foul trouble, so we had to pull together and rebound well. This team has been so good at killing games off each year. Every time we get a lead, they make it really hard for our opponents to come back.”
Covenant jumped out to a 20-6 first quarter lead behind tournament MVP Jalen Chandler, who scored 16 points before fouling out with 3:13 remaining.
Oakwood battled back from the early deficit to trail just 29-24 at halftime. The Mustangs ramped up the defensive pressure in the second half and rallied within one possession in the closing minute.
That set the stage for Kellogg’s clutch trip to the line. He finished with 13 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists while going 7-of-9 from the foul line.
Andrew Brackin added 10 points, 4 assists, 4 steals and 3 rebounds for Covenant. The Eagles were 16-of-24 at the line compared to 10-of-16 for Oakwood.
Jayden Nesbitt led Oakwood’s rally, scoring 17 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. Jonathan Walden chipped in 7 points and 4 assists.
It was the first state championship game appearance for Oakwood Academy. Despite coming up just short, coach Melvin Allen praised his team’s effort.
“We are just so honored to have been able to participate at this stage at this level,” Allen said. “It’s an honor to be a part of the AHSAA. A tough loss but credit to the other team. We came up a little short today.”
The entire postseason run was a remarkable turnaround for Oakwood after forfeiting a playoff game last year over religious reasons. This time, the Mustangs made it all the way to the final before Covenant dashed their title hopes thanks to Kellogg’s clutch performance at the line.