Sometimes, it all comes down to the luck of the draw.
The Stanhope Elmore Mustangs were ranked within the top 10 teams in Class 6A throughout the season with one of the most talented teams that have ever graced the halls of the locker room. And yet, the Mustangs didn’t seem to have luck on their side as far as their AHSAA South Regional playoff bracket.
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Ana Sofia Meyer / TPI Stanhope Elmore's Heaven Bailey (3) attempts drives past Park Crossing's Trinity Adams (11) in the first half of SEHS' Sweet 16 game versus the Thunderbirds. Bailey put up 20 points in the loss for a season average of 19.8 points per game.
- Ana Sofia Meyer
Ana Sofia Meyer / TPI Stanhope Elmore's Heaven Bailey takes a deep breath before shooting a free throw against Park Crossing in the Mustangs' first Sweet 16 game in many seasons. Bailey was 8-for-9 from the free throw line in the loss.
- Ana Sofia Meyer
Ana Sofia Meyer / TPI Stanhope Elmore's Kori Harmon (11), a freshman, stepped up big for the Mustangs this season, coming off the bench as the sixth or seventh man. Harmon hit big shots for Stokes and SEHS in big moments, averaging four points per game and one assist per game in her freshman season.
- Ana Sofia Meyer
Ana Sofia Meyer / TPI Stanhope Elmore's Teonna Davis (24), a senior, goes up for a layup against Park Crossing in the Mustangs' first Sweet 16 appearance in many seasons. In Davis's final game of her career as a Mustang, she put up a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
- Ana Sofia Meyer
Ana Sofia Meyer / TPI Stanhope Elmore eighth grader Ava Wilson catches the ball on the baseline and looks to make a move during her second-half minutes. According to SEHS coach Kelvin Stokes, Wilson will be stepping up into a bigger role next season.
- Ana Sofia Meyer
Ana Sofia Meyer / TPI Stanhope Elmore guard Heaven Bailey (3) is double-teamed by Park Crossing as she attempts to set up the Mustangs' offense. The Mustangs took their fourth loss of the season to PCHS, 75-59, for a record of 28-4.
- Ana Sofia Meyer
Ana Sofia Meyer / TPI Stanhope Elmore coach Kelvin Stokes pulls his guards, Kori Harmon (11) and Heaven Bailey (3) aside for a chat during a timeout. Stokes coached his team to a 28-4 season finish, one of the best seasons in program history.
- Ana Sofia Meyer
Ana Sofia Meyer / TPI Stanhope Elmore's Heaven Bailey (3) backs down Park Crossing's Trinity Adams (11) in the Mustangs' Sweet 16 loss at Garrett Coliseum on Feb. 19. This season's appearance was the Mustangs first in the Sweet 16 for at least 25 years.
- Ana Sofia Meyer
PHOTOS: Stanhope Elmore finishes 24-win season with Sweet 16 loss
Ana Sofia Meyer / TPI Stanhope Elmore's Heaven Bailey (3) attempts drives past Park Crossing's Trinity Adams (11) in the first half of SEHS' Sweet 16 game versus the Thunderbirds. Bailey put up 20 points in the loss for a season average of 19.8 points per game.
- Ana Sofia Meyer
Ana Sofia Meyer / TPI Stanhope Elmore's Heaven Bailey looks to pull up from the three point line against Park Crossing. The Mustangs finished the season 28-4 with the Sweet 16 loss against the Thunderbirds, 75-59.
- Ana Sofia Meyer
Ana Sofia Meyer / TPI Stanhope Elmore's Heaven Bailey takes a deep breath before shooting a free throw against Park Crossing in the Mustangs' first Sweet 16 game in many seasons. Bailey was 8-for-9 from the free throw line in the loss.
- Ana Sofia Meyer
Ana Sofia Meyer / TPI Stanhope Elmore shooting guard Aubrey Newton struggled uncharacteristically behind the three-point line in the biggest game of her career. Newton was 2-for-8 from three and gave up seven turnovers.
- Ana Sofia Meyer
Ana Sofia Meyer / TPI Stanhope Elmore's Kuraji Crosby and Park Crossing's Maliyah Meeks tip-off at the South Regional Sweet 16 game at Garrett Coliseum on Feb. 19.
- Ana Sofia Meyer
Ana Sofia Meyer / TPI Stanhope Elmore's Kori Harmon (11), a freshman, stepped up big for the Mustangs this season, coming off the bench as the sixth or seventh man. Harmon hit big shots for Stokes and SEHS in big moments, averaging four points per game and one assist per game in her freshman season.
- Ana Sofia Meyer
Ana Sofia Meyer / TPI Stanhope Elmore's Teonna Davis (24), a senior, goes up for a layup against Park Crossing in the Mustangs' first Sweet 16 appearance in many seasons. In Davis's final game of her career as a Mustang, she put up a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
- Ana Sofia Meyer
Ana Sofia Meyer / TPI Stanhope Elmore guard Heaven Bailey takes the ball down the floor on a fast-break against ASWA's No. 2 Park Crossing, the Class 6A defending state champions. The Mustangs lost 75-59.
- Ana Sofia Meyer
Ana Sofia Meyer / TPI Stanhope Elmore eighth grader Ava Wilson catches the ball on the baseline and looks to make a move during her second-half minutes. According to SEHS coach Kelvin Stokes, Wilson will be stepping up into a bigger role next season.
- Ana Sofia Meyer
Ana Sofia Meyer / TPI Stanhope Elmore guard Heaven Bailey (3) is double-teamed by Park Crossing as she attempts to set up the Mustangs' offense. The Mustangs took their fourth loss of the season to PCHS, 75-59, for a record of 28-4.
- Ana Sofia Meyer
Ana Sofia Meyer / TPI Stanhope Elmore coach Kelvin Stokes pulls his guards, Kori Harmon (11) and Heaven Bailey (3) aside for a chat during a timeout. Stokes coached his team to a 28-4 season finish, one of the best seasons in program history.
- Ana Sofia Meyer
Ana Sofia Meyer / TPI Stanhope Elmore's Heaven Bailey (3) backs down Park Crossing's Trinity Adams (11) in the Mustangs' Sweet 16 loss at Garrett Coliseum on Feb. 19. This season's appearance was the Mustangs first in the Sweet 16 for at least 25 years.
- Ana Sofia Meyer
