CHILDERSBURG - The fourth time was the charm for Munford High School in the boys’ varsity basketball team’s quest to defeat Childersburg. The visiting Lions upset the top-seeded Tigers 82-70 for the 4A Area 9 championship.

The teams battled to a 20-20 tie in the first period, and Munford edged out Childersburg 42-38 by halftime. They built the lead to 58-49 by the end of the third period and scored 24 points to Childersburg’s 21 in the fourth period for the win.

“That’s probably the best game we’ve played this season,” said Munford coach Isiah Gaddis. “We played them three times — we lost one in overtime, one by three points — we just played well. Defensively, we didn’t let them inside. If they hadn’t kept hitting those three-pointers, it would have been a lot different.”

Childersburg sank a dozen three-point shots in the game. Munford had three.

Deonta Allen caught fire, scoring 33 points for Munford – all three of the threes, eight field goals and five fourth quarter foul shots. Brandon Graham scored 19 points and Jeremy Maxwell 16.

For Childersburg Isaiah Jones led scoring with 22 points, Santavious Oden scored 15, Davarius Harris 12 and Tyrell Garrett 10.

Named to the all-tournament team were Graham, Allen and Maxwell from Munford, Jones, Harris and Oden from Childersburg, Damien Lee and Chris Looney from St. Clair County and Chris Gooden and Sharrod Cochran from Lincoln.

Area 9 champion Munford hosts Area 10 runner-up Alexandria Friday at 7. Alexandria lost to Anniston Monday night 61-44. Childersburg travels to face Anniston Friday.