Photo by Erin Nelson
The Huskies erupt after defeating Vestavia Hills in the AHSAA Class 7A Northeast Regional final at Pete Matthews Coliseum at Jacksonville State University on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. The Huskies defeated the Rebels 48-46 to advance to the Class 7A State semi-final at Bartow Arena on March 2, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
Here's a look back at the last week of Hewitt-Trussville, Clay-Chalkville and Pinson Valley high school athletics.
BASKETBALL
Last Monday, the Clay-Chalkville boys basketball team advanced to the regional final round for the first time in program history with a 52-47 win over Buckhorn in the Class 6A playoffs. Isiah Daniel broke out with 30 points to lead the charge for the Cougars. Donovan Shangase joined him in double figures with 12 points. Jayden Sweeney finished with six points and six rebounds, while Jonathan Harris totaled 12 rebounds on the night. Skyler Smith scored just two points, but played a major role in locking down Buckhorn’s best perimeter player.
On Wednesday in the Northwest Regional final, Clay-Chalkville fell to Scottsboro 48-41. The Cougars rallied from a seven-point halftime deficit and got it down to as little as a point late in the fourth quarter, but were unable to hit the key shot to tie or take the lead. The Cougars were led by Shangase and Harris, who each finished with 12 points.
Clay-Chalkville finished its best season in school history with a 21-5 overall record.
Hewitt-Trussville’s girls clinched a berth in the state semifinals for the second time in three years on Wednesday with a win over Vestavia Hills. Click here for a recap of the game.
Hewitt-Trussville will now face Theodore on Tuesday at 2 p.m. in the Class 7A semifinals at Bartow Arena.
BASEBALL
Last Monday, the Clay-Chalkville baseball team suffered a 7-4 loss to Leeds. Jack Freind led the offense with three hits on the day, including two triples and a run batted in. Bronson Sneed was solid in relief for the Cougars, going three innings and allowing one run on four hits.
Hewitt-Trussville earned a 10-0 win over Jasper on Monday as well. Riley Quick threw a no-hitter over five innings, striking out six along the way. Jack Ollis registered two hits and scored two runs on the day. Jackson Holland had a run-scoring triple, while Hudson Boren, Ethan Duhon, Trey Burrell and Gavin Ellison all drove in runs as well.
Pinson Valley stormed past Shades Valley 18-4 on Tuesday. Devin Kelly drove in three runs for the Indians to lead the way. Hagen Gingras doubled twice and knocked home a pair of runs. William Tarpley finished with three hits and two RBIs on the day, while Douglas Tews had two hits and two RBIs.
Clay-Chalkville fell to McAdory 5-3 on Thursday. The Cougars pitched well on the night, but couldn’t get enough going on offense. Kobe Lewis got the start, going four innings and allowing two runs on two hits.
Hewitt-Trussville topped Helena 2-1 on Thursday. Skylar Jones went the distance on the mound, striking out nine over his seven strong innings. Burrell drove in a run, while Baker Green and Kurt Kizer tallied two hits apiece. Kizer scored both runs in the game.
Pinson Valley blew past Pleasant Grove 24-3 on Friday. Tarpley led the charge, racking up three hits and five RBIs. Kelly knocked in four runs, while Gingras, Isaiah Sims, Jordan Bays and Tommie Williams all had two RBIs.
Pinson Valley split a doubleheader on Saturday. The Indians outlasted Hueytown 4-3 in 10 innings in the first game, as Kelly came away with the go-ahead hit. Tarpley had a great game as well. He had a pair of hits and two RBIs, while striking out eight over seven innings on the mound. Gingras allowed just one hit in three scoreless innings and drove in a run as well. Pinson fell to Oak Grove 11-1 in the second game.
Moody beat Clay-Chalkville 9-8 on Saturday.
Hewitt-Trussville won a pair of games on Saturday. The Huskies began the day with a 4-1 win over Thompson. Quick got the win on the mound, going five innings and striking out nine. Benjamin Lamons earned the save, going the final two innings and striking out a pair. Burrell homered and finished with three hits. Green had two hits and Boren drove in a run.
The Huskies blew past Hazel Green 11-1 in the second game. Green got the win, allowing three hits and striking out four in the complete game. Kizer tallied two hits and drove in a run, while Holland drove in two runs and scored twice. Matt Miller had an RBI double, while Burrell and Quick drove in runs as well.
SOFTBALL
Last Tuesday, the Hewitt-Trussville softball team traveled to James Clemens and came away with a 2-1 win. Madi Mitchell and Rubie Simon knocked in the runs for the Huskies, and starting pitcher Zaylen Tucker started and threw four scoreless innings, allowing just two hits.
Pinson Valley also knocked off Hueytown 10-3. Sasha Hughes hit a home run and knocked in a pair of runs, while McKenzie Cagle threw a complete game, striking out 13 batters. Cagle also tallied two hits and two RBIs of her own at the plate.
In a battle of two of the top teams in the state at Wallace State on Thursday, Hewitt-Trussville took down Bob Jones 5-1. The Huskies were led by an outstanding pitching performance from Sarah Hindman. She allowed just one run on four hits in the complete game outing. Anyce Harvey drove in two runs as well.
Pinson Valley fell to Springville 15-2 on Thursday. Clay-Chalkville fell to Homewood 20-1 on Friday.
On Saturday, Pinson Valley dropped a pair of games. The Indians fell to Pleasant Valley 11-1 but played a closer game in an 11-9 loss to Glencoe. Cagle led the Indians offensively, homering and driving in three runs.
SOCCER
Last Monday, the Pinson Valley boys soccer team began the week with an 8-1 win over Shades Valley.
On Tuesday, both Hewitt-Trussville soccer teams fell. The boys lost to Homewood 4-0 and the girls were shut out by Oak Mountain 1-0. Pinson Valley’s boys earned another victory, a 4-1 win over Moody.
Pinson Valley’s boys lost to Southside-Gadsden 2-1 on Friday evening. Also on Friday, Hewitt-Trussville’s girls finished in a 2-2 tie with Hoover.
Pinson’s boys fell twice on Saturday, dropping a 1-0 decision to Oak Mountain and a 5-1 one to Mountain Brook.
GOLF
The Hewitt-Trussville girls golf team finished second in its first tournament of the season, playing in Providence Christian’s tournament in Dothan. The Huskies were just four strokes off the lead. Eighth grader Molly Davidson was second overall with a round of 75. Kiersten Riggins, another eighth grader, shot 80 and was eighth. Mary Grace Davidson shot an 84.
