By Erik Harris, sports editor
Several local basketball teams have punched playoff tickets this week as area tournaments have begun across the state.
Per AHSAA rules, area champions and runner-ups advance into sub-regional play next week, creating a must-win scenario in the area semifinals.
The
Clay-Chalkville girls passed their test on Monday, advancing into the Class 6A, Area 12 tournament finals with a 56-29 win over 3-seed Pinson Valley. That win puts the Cougars (13-6) on the road Thursday night at No. 6 Mortimer Jordan after the Blue Devils knocked off 4-seed Gardendale 75-23.
The
Springville girls saw their season end on Monday in the first round of the Class 6A, Area 13 tournament. The 2-seed Tigers fell 52-42 to visiting Pell City, who moves on to face 1-seed Oxford in the tournament finals.
KIMBERLY The Clay-Chalkville girls came up a little short on Friday night.
On the road in their Class 6A, Area 12 finale, the Cougars started slow offensively and went on to fall 49-37 to No. 8 Mortimer Jordan. The Blue Devils secure the regular season area crown with a 6-0 sweep of Clay-Chalkville, Pinson Valley and Gardendale.
The Cougars will enter the upcoming league tournament as a 2-seed behind 1-seed Mortimer Jordan. Opening round play will begin on Tuesday, Feb. 9.
On Friday night, Clay-Chalkville got off to a sleepy start that sent them to the second quarter down 10-5. The visitors later went into the final frame down 40-21, as the Blue Devils dribbled the clock empty.
High school basketball action is in full swing. Check below for game-by-game recaps involving local squads.
The Moody boys on Monday completed the season sweep of St. Clair County with a 50-29 victory, which follows a 49-47 decision over the Saints last Friday night.
On Monday in Class 5A, Area 11 play, Blue Devil guard Davion Dovier delivered a team-high 11 points followed by forward Carson Dillashaw with nine.
Moody notched a non-area win on Tuesday, blowing by Pell City 75-58. Senior Peyton Ingram scored 17 points to go with 13 more from junior Mason Trimm.
The Pinson Valley
boys have been on a tear that continues with two more wins already this week. The second-ranked Indians (15-2, 4-0) started on Monday with a 56-53 overtime victory over No. 3 Shades Valley in the MLK Roundball Classic at Fairfield.
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.
By Erik Harris, sports editor
High school basketball was in full swing across The Tribune coverage area on Thursday night. See boys and girls recaps below.
The Springville boys remained unbeaten on Thursday night with a 55-34 road victory over Locust Fork.
The Tigers opened with a 7-0 run and later finished 5-for-9 from beyond the arc on their way to an 11
th consecutive win. Junior guard Gavin Gooch led all scorers with 16 points thanks to a 6-for-7 night from the field. Ben Bianchi chipped in with eight points to go with six more from Chase Higgins.
However, it was the Springville defense that set the tone as the Tigers held Locust Fork to below 30% shooting, including a 1-for-14 effort from beyond the arc. As a team, Springville recorded 11 steals and finished with 21 points of turnovers.