From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
JACKSONVILLE — The Pinson Valley Indians (22-9) took down the Huffman Vikings (21-8) in the 6A regional finals by the score of 63-61 to advance to the Final Four at the BJCC next week.
The win came on a KoolAid McKinstry put back at the buzzer to send the Indians back home to Birmingham to play for the state championship.
The Indians led at the end of every period, but it was either team’s game to win in the final two minutes.
A Kam Woods three-point bucket with two minutes remaining gave the Indians a five point lead, but Huffman answered back and cut lead to three.
Woods put the lead back to five with 1:25 remaining in the game and a Gee Pollard block spoiled the Vikings attempt to close the gap. Pinson had the ball with 1:14 to play, but couldn’t extend the lead.
Huffman’s Eddie Smith cut the lead to three with 37 seconds remaining. An ill-advised full court pass by Pinson Valley was picked off and put the ball back in the possession of the Vikings with 21 seconds to play.
Following a timeout, Jamal Mott drained a three-pointer to tie the game at 61 each.
Woods missed a jumper with the clock ticking down, but McKinstry cleaned up the rebound and gave the Indians the last second win.
Pinson Valley led 17-16 after the first quarter and took a 34-33 lead to locker room at the half. The Indians extended the lead to 52-47 after three quarters, but couldn’t make Huffman go away.
Cameron Woods was named MVP of the tournament and McKinstry was named along with Woods to the all-tournament team.