Alabama signee Brandon Austin leads Carver-Montgomery into Class 6A finals

State Finals 6A semifinal

Carver-Montgomery's Brandon Austin (23) drives around Woodlawn's Javien Williams (3) during an AHSAA State Finals Class 6A semifinal basketball game at BJCC Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Ala., Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015. (Photo/ AL.com, Hal Yeager)

(Hal Yeager)

Memories of last year's disappointing performance in the Class 6A semifinals didn't linger for Carver-Montgomery senior guard Brandon Austin this season.

The 6-foot-5 Austin, a University of Alabama signee, was playing for his teammate Marlon Davidson, who is grieving the loss of his mother. Carver plays Lee-Huntsville in the 6A championship Saturday at 3 p.m. at Legacy Arena at the BJCC.

Austin went scoreless in last year's semifinal loss to Mountain Brook, which won the title. Mountain Brook moved up to Class 7A this year.

"It was real tough," Austin said. "I couldn't hit a shot. I was trying to get myself going, but it just wasn't going for me. I didn't score a basket. Usually I'm the leading scorer on the team, so it was kind of tough."

Austin scored 18 in Carver's 54-42 win over Woodlawn in the semifinals on Thursday. He hit his first 3-point shot and said the rim got bigger after that. He had three thunderous dunks for the Wolverines in the second half.

Austin is a big-time athlete who can jump out of the gym, and looks to have a 3-point shot that can carry over to the college level. He can rebound well but could stand to add bulk on his 180-pound frame. He'll be even better if he's able to drive to the hoop consistently in a half-court set.

"Coach (Anthony) Grant calls me every time he gets a chance," Austin said. "I talk to him a lot. He talks to my mom. I think we've got a good relationship and I'm very happy about going to Alabama."

He committed to Alabama before his junior season and before he even started a varsity game at what is usually a deep Carver program.

"It's where I always wanted to be," he said.

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