The Maplesville Red Devils were moments away from the Area 5-1A championship, but lost 42-40 to Autaugaville in heartbreaking fashion during the semifinals at Isabella High School on Feb. 5.

Free throws played a major role in the game’s final outcome.

With the game tied 38-all and 1:30 to go in the contest, Maplesville had four opportunities to take the lead at the free throw line, but missed each of the attempts.

Autaugaville was sent to the free throw line on its following trip down the court, and unlike the Red Devils, capitalized on the opportunity and moved in front on the scoreboard with 48 seconds to play.

Tydasia Davis was a go-to player down low for Maplesville, and finished with a team-high 21 points.

The high scoring performance could have been even higher, but Davis was one of several Maplesville players to leave points at the charity stripe during the game.

Both teams proved to be fairly evenly matched. As a result, the lead was traded throughout the game with neither team able to extend it by more than a handful of points.

The game was tied at 10 at the end of the first quarter, while Maplesville trailed by one point at halftime and the end of the third quarter.

With the loss, Maplesville’s girls basketball season came to an end. A good Red Devil contingent made the short trip to Isabella High School and saw the final game for seniors Sha’kea Mitchell, Arin Girlie and Aniston Bolding.