By Joshua Huff, sports editor
BIRMINGHAM – The confounding nature of Huffman continued to befuddle the reigning Class 6A state champions as the Vikings notched their second victory over Pinson Valley in what was a 83-69 win at the inaugural Birmingham Showcase.
Huffman had previously defeated Pinson Valley, 87-74, in the championship game of the Heritage Thanksgiving Classic.
In Birmingham’s Legacy Arena, Huffman took control from the opening tip. The Vikings jumped out to a 5-0 lead that quickly stretched to 10-2 midway through the first quarter. Huffman asserted itself on the boards early and found a rhythm from beyond the arc, which helped extend the Viking’s lead to 16-5 with two minutes to go in the opening frame.
However, Pinson Valley’s Ga’Quincy McKinstry caught fire and hit six straight to narrow the Indians’ deficit to 11-17. Two 3-pointers from Kameron Woods in the final minute of the first quarter pulled the Indians to within three points, 19-22.
The Indians remained within a hair’s breadth away from Huffman throughout the second quarter. Pinson Valley tied the game on two occasions, but Huffman somehow found a way to hit every meaningful shot, which did just enough to keep the Indians at bay. Huffman would head into the half nursing a 39-36 lead. McKinstry had himself a first half, as the junior scored 22 points behind a silky smooth jumper.
McKinstry did his part in the opening minutes to keep Pinson Valley to within two points, 45-43, but Huffman asserted its dominance in the paint and on the boards. The Vikings began to pull away midway through the third quarter. Following a 9-2 run, the Vikings stretched their lead to 61-48 behind on what ultimately became a 16-5 run that sealed the victory for Huffman.
The Indians managed to pull within seven points after a Woods floater in the fourth quarter, but Huffman’s lead was too large for Pinson Valley to overcome.
Pinson Valley was led by McKinstry’s 29 points. Woods added 19 points, and JoJo James record 12 points.