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29 Georgiana School Things looked hopeless for the Panthers as the three-time defending state champion Sacred Heart squad went into a stall, leading Georgiana High School by four points with four minutes remaining in the 1A basketball finals at Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex. But aer several Georgiana steals and last-minute heroics, Jamicheal Stallworth sank a long three-pointer to tie the game with 15 seconds le. For a few minutes, it appeared the Cardinals' unsurpassed championship streak might be ended. Hundreds of Georgiana fans were watching the Panthers – in the state Final Four for the third time in four years – and the traveling faithful clapped and cheered for their boys as the game went into overtime. Three Panthers made the six-man All- Tournament team but Georgiana once again fell short of the title. Assistant Principal Cynthia Smith was there with many other teachers and administrators, the Georgiana 30-piece pep band, 10 cheerleaders and cat-costumed mascot as the final horn sounded in Birmingham in late February. A few of the faithful shed tears, some stared silently at the Sacred Heart stars celebrating but soon the Panthers' pride showed again, banners held high, blue and white shakers waving in the air as their fans headed back home 152 miles south. Built in 2010, the $12 million Georgiana School is a pre-K-12 facility on a single campus divided into sections for 450 elementary, junior high and high school students directed by about 40 teachers. Scenarios shi as visitors walk along the sparkling tile floors. "We've all had to learn how to handle having all the grades together under one roof," says Smith, who previously taught at the separate Austin Elementary. "It certainly keeps you busy. There's never a dull moment." A first-grader approaches Smith grinning, less than perfectly aired. "Tie those shoes, put that shirt tail in," she says smiling. "Yes ma'am," he responds. Smith opens the doors to pre-K classes, where the children are napping on mats. She walks to the next Allison Edwards reads to kindergarten class. Sixth-graders in Rhonda Moorer's class portray the life of Helen Keller. Georgiana Panthers were runner-up in state basketball championship.