By Erik Harris, sports editor
PINSON It was a hot start that propelled the Clay-Chalkville boys on Saturday night in the first round of the Class 6A playoffs, as the No.6-ranked Cougars handled Muscle Shoals 58-40.
The home team, thanks to a mix of inside muscle and outside rhythm, rolled out to a 10-0 start that led to a fluffy 18-2 advantage going into the second frame. Senior Skyler Smith started the scoring with a deep splash which preceded back-to-back inside jumpers from Donovan Shangase and Jonathan Harris. Justin Omar punctuated the early push on a second-chance kickout to the corner midway through the first.
By Erik Harris, sports editor
PINSON After squeezing into the ASWA top-10 poll for the first time this week, the Clay-Chalkville boys basketball team celebrated with its biggest win of the season.
The No. 10-ranked Cougars (13-4, 3-1) defended their home floor on Thursday night, knocking off second-ranked Pinson Valley 59-51. The win comes in Class 6A, Area 12 play and avenges a 61-39 loss to the Indians (15-3, 4-1) on Jan. 7 at Mike Dutton Gymnasium.
After a back-and-forth opening period, Clay-Chalkville separated a little going into the break thanks to a 16-point second quarter. Senior point guard Donovan Shangase started the surge with two quick baskets in the second, including an and-1 that put his Cougars out front 19-13. They trailed 13-12 when the quarter began.
Several boys and girls basketball teams were in play on Tuesday night.
The Hewitt-Trussville girls claimed their first Class 7A, Area 6 win on Tuesday night in Hoover. The second-ranked Huskies (18-2, 1-1) bounced back after a 6-point first frame with 16 points in the second and eventually pulled away with a 49-39 victory over No. 6-ranked Spain Park.
Senior Amiya Payne led the way with 20 points to go with 11 from Audreonia Benson and 10 from Jordan Hunter on the road.
Hewitt-Trussville is back in league play on Friday night at Gadsden City.
The Hewitt-Trussville boys slid to 0-2 in Class 7A, Area 6 play on Tuesday night thanks to a 70-44 loss at No. 4 Spain Park.