Cornerstone postseason journey ends in Final Four

BIRMINGHAM -- Former University of Alabama star Ronald Steele took over the Cornerstone School boys basketball program before the 2016-17 season and built a foundation throughout his first season that could set the stage for years to come.

Cornerstone (15-10) reached the Final Four and faced off with South Lamar on Monday morning in the Class 1A State Semifinals at Legacy Arena. South Lamar pulled away with a strong fourth quarter to win, 80-67.

South Lamar (21-8) jumped out to a 10-0 lead and stretched the lead to 16-2 late in the first quarter before the Eagles settled down and began to mount a charge.

Cornerstone cut the deficit to eight, 23-15, at the end of the first quarter and whittled it down to five, 41-36, by halftime.

South Lamar managed to stretch the lead back to double digits early in the third quarter, but an 11-0 run from the Eagles gave Cornerstone its first lead of the game with two minutes remaining in the third period.

The Eagles held the lead through the early portion of the fourth quarter, but South Lamar cashed in 13 free throws in the final few minutes to consolidate the win. 

Darryl Grayson led Cornerstone with 21 points on the day, knocking down six 3-pointers. Justin Poythress registered a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds, while also blocking four shots.

Cornerstone is a young team, with Grayson, Poythress and Rayel Odom the only seniors on the team.

Check out photos from Monday's game above.