Local teams make it to regional finals

Three of the area high school basketball teams advanced to the regional finals, but none were able to break through to the state final four.

Hewitt-Trussville’s girls had a spectacular season ended by a strong Sparkman team in the Class 7A Northeast Regional final Feb. 21. 

The Lady Huskies controlled the game early, leading by as many as 10 points midway through the second quarter. But Sparkman turned the game around, taking a seven-point lead into the final quarter.

In that final quarter, though, Hewitt responded with an 8-0 run to reclaim the lead. Sparkman then wrested the lead away again and held on for the win.

Hewitt-Trussville finished the season with a 25-7 record, winning the regular season and tournament titles from Area 6. Following a three-game skid against three stout teams before Christmas, the Lady Huskies ripped off 15 straight wins before their final defeat.

Audre Benson, April Hooks, DeAndrea Powell and Lilly Gray were the team’s seniors this season.

Clay-Chalkville’s girls advanced to the 6A Northwest Regional final for the first time since 2008, the year the Lady Cougars made it to the state championship game.

This year’s Lady Cougars ran into Hazel Green, falling to the dominant Lady Trojans 55-45, but not before pushing the defending state champions.

“Our girls believed they could play with them,” Clay-Chalkville head coach Kevin Conner said. “You can’t walk out there and be fearful. You’ve got to attack and go play.”

Conner said his team executed the game plan well, but Hazel Green drained four 3-pointers in the opening quarter and shot 51% for the game.

Hazel Green jumped out to an 18-10 lead after a quarter, but Clay closed the gap to 25-24 in the second quarter. Hazel Green responded, though, putting together a 7-0 run to end the half with a 32-24 lead.

The Lady Cougars were the better team in the third quarter, closing a double-digit deficit to 42-37 heading to the final frame.

Junior Kamoriah Gaines had a standout game, leading all scorers in the game with 20 points.

“I’m very proud that we made it this far,” Gaines said. “We knew it was going to be a challenge, and we gave it our all out there. We held them pretty good.”

Clay finished 23-8, beating Mortimer Jordan in the Area 12 tournament final and putting together an all-around strong season. 

Pinson Valley’s boys had a storied season end prematurely in the 6A Northwest Regional final, as Buckhorn knocked off the previously unbeaten Indians 51-41 to advance to the state final four.

“They wanted it more than we did,” Pinson Valley head coach Darrell Barber said. “We didn’t perform well. Kudos to Buckhorn.”

The first half was a slow one for the Indians, as Buckhorn grabbed a 25-12 lead at the break. Pinson Valley began to claw its way back in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to single digits heading to the final frame.

But Buckhorn didn’t allow much hope in the fourth, putting the game away with a continued strong defensive effort.

With the loss, a dream season for the Indians came to a close at 29-1. The Indians won the Class 6A regular season and tournament titles, in addition to defeating reigning state champ Huffman by 20 points and notching wins over the likes of Hartselle, Huntsville and many more.

“It’s very hard to get to this point,” Barber said. “It takes a lot of blood, sweat, tears and sacrifices to get to this point.”

Grant Foree contributed to this report.