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.
Hewitt girls erase 4th-quarter deficit to clear Spain Park trussvilletribune.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from trussvilletribune.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
By Erik Harris, sports editor
PINSON Pinson Valley senior Joshua Williams on Monday was named the Birmingham Area Athlete of the Week. The honor is presented weekly by AHSAA Radio Network.
Williams, a starter in the Indians’ backcourt, played a major role for head coach Darrell Barber as the team notched wins over Gardendale, Center Point and Greenville last week. The 6-foot-3 senior poured in 25 points and dished out four assists on Saturday in a 73-41 victory over Greenville.
He also provided 10 points on Friday in a 75-55 road win over Center Point, and went for 18 points in an 81-57 area win on Tuesday at Gardendale.
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.
A pair of Tribune-area basketball teams scored tournament wins on Friday night.
In the annual Big Orange Classic at Hoover High School, senior wing Amiya Payne became the first player in
Hewitt-Trussville girls basketball history to reach 2,000 career points. Payne reached the mark during a 58-52 win over Eufaula on Friday night.
Payne led the way with 24 points and eight rebounds as her second-ranked Huskies improved to 13-0 on the year. Point guard Jordan Hunter added 12 points and five boards in the win.
The Clay-Chalkville boys have punched their ticket to the Oak Mountain Invitational championship game thanks to a Friday-night win over the host Eagles.