By Erik Harris, sports editor
TRUSSVILLE — No. 1 and No. 2 squared off on Saturday afternoon in Bryant Bank Arena at Hewitt-Trussville High School, and the battle of unbeatens did not disappoint.
The back-and-forth affair came down to the final second, as Hoover forward Aniya Hubbard tipped in a 3-point miss at the horn to lift her Bucs past the Hewitt-Trussville girls basketball team, 60-58.
Even at 58-all, Hoover guard Reniya Kelly fired a contested 3-pointer that clanked off the rim and fell into the outstretched hands of Hubbard, who split two Husky defenders and rattle home the game-winner in Trussville. Her teammates swarmed in celebration, as Hoover extended its undefeated start and likely tightened its grip on the No. 1 ranking in Class 7A.
For second-ranked Hewitt-Trussville, the loss represents its first of the season and snaps a 17-game winning streak.
Hewitt-Trussville head girls basketball coach Tonya Hunter directs her daughter Jordan during a home game on Jan. 2, 2020.
Photo by Erik Harris
The Huskies led for much of the second half, claiming their biggest advantage at 38-29 midway through the third period thanks to a 12-5 run coming out of the break. Hewitt opened the half with some inside work from Amir Brown and Dyona Jones before sophomore guard April Hooks got out in transition for a runner in the lane that stretched the lead to 32-24. Hooks later popped a trey from the top of the key followed by another triple from sophomore Audreonia Benson as the home team built a 38-29 cushion.
Hoover would rally and eventually worked the deficit down to 41-38 going into the fourth. The Bucs leaned on Hubbard down the stretch and she answered with four buckets and a pair from the charity stripe to go home with a game-high 21 points. Kelly provided 16 points of her own and Jada Knight chipped in with eight.
Payne was big for the home team, working inside for 17 points on Saturday. She scored her final points from the free-throw line, going 2-for-2 to even things up at 58-58 with 28 seconds remaining.
Hoover held for the final shot and Hubbard made it count.
Benson provided a spark coming off the Huskies’ bench, as she knocked down four 3-pointers and finished with 14 points. Hooks connected on two 3-pointers and went home with 11 points for Hewitt.
The Class 7A battle remained tight throughout. Hoover held a 15-14 lead after the opening frame, the Huskies went to the half leading 26-24 and later enter the fourth on top 41-38.
Another round of Hewitt-Hoover would be one to watch this postseason.
