By Gary Lloyd
Clay-Chalkville head basketball coach Daniel Foy’s hands were shaking, his legs rubbery.
Oxford had just been the first in a three-way tie with Clay-Chalkville and Gadsden City to lose a coin flip for home court advantage in the Class 6A, Area 9 basketball tournament.
Between Clay-Chalkville and Gadsden City, the Cougars had tails. It never fails.
“Like I just ran a marathon is what I felt like,” said Foy, also noting he was still shaking after the realization his team would host this week’s area tournament.
When Foy told his players later Tuesday afternoon that they would host, they ran around their home gym, and hugged and jumped up and down. Clay-Chalkville (20-6) plays Pell City at 6 p.m
. Friday. The winner faces either Gadsden City or Oxford in the area championship Monday at 7 p.m.
“We want to try to take advantage of having home court advantage,” said Clay-Chalkville senior forward Darius Jordan. “We’re going to try to go all the way.”
The Clay-Chalkville girls travel to Gadsden City High School for the Class 6A, Area 9 tournament Thursday against Oxford at 7:30 p.m. The winner faces Gadsden City or Pell City in the championship Saturday at 7 p.m.
“When you’re starting a tournament, anything can happen in that first game, so we’ve got to come out and be ready,” said head coach Todd Carlile.
The Hewitt-Trussville boys’ basketball team faces Carver at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Huffman High School in the Class 6A, Area 12 tournament. The winner faces either Huffman or Gardendale in the championship Monday at 7 p.m.
“It’s area time,” said Hewitt-Trussville head coach Zane Arnold. “I’m hoping the guys step up and take advantage of the opportunity.”
Hewitt-Trussville’s girls begin area tournament play Thursday at 5 p.m. against Carver at Gardendale High School. The winner faces either Gardendale or Huffman for the area title Saturday at 6 p.m.
Pinson Valley’s boys open the Class 5A, Area 11 tournament Friday against Moody at 7:30 p.m. The winner faces either Center Point or Springville for the area title Monday at 7:30 p.m.
Pinson Valley’s girls face Springville at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the Class 5A, Area 11 tournament. The winner faces either Center Point or Moody for the championship Monday at 6 p.m.
All Class 5A, Area 11 tournament games are at Center Point High School.
Area winners and runners-up will advance to the sub-regional round of the state playoffs.
Contact Gary Lloyd at news@trussvilletribune.com and follow him on Twitter @GaryALloyd.