By Loyd McIntosh, For The Tribune
PINSON — The Pinson Valley boys’ basketball team continued its unbeaten streak and captured the 6A Area 12 championship Wednesday night.
The Indians improved to 27-0 on the 2022-23 season defeating area rival Clay-Chalkville 62-50 at Pinson Valley High School.
It was a streaky game for each team as the Indians and Cougars struggled to find the zone consistently from three-point range.
The Cougars’ defense also, at times, was able to frustrate the Indians’ ball-handlers coming with steals and forcing turnovers throughout the contest to keep Pinson’s lead withing to within striking distance in the first half.
However, Pinson Valley’s athletes created scoring opportunities when needed, competed for every loose ball, and dominated the boards proving why they are the top-ranked team in Alabama regardless of classification and the 30th-ranked team in the nation.
Pinson Valley broke an early 2-2 tie with a three-pointer from senior point guard Terry Coner, launching a 16-7 run as Indian shooters found their touch. After one quarter, Pinson Valley held a nine-point lead over Clay-Chalkville, 18-9.
The second quarter threatened to get out of hand for the Cougars, however, Clay-Chalkville stemmed the bleeding, forcing steals and hitting timely shots, including a huge three-pointer from sophomore shooting guard Devon McKinnon with just over 3:30 to play in the half to cut Pinson Valley’s lead to seven, 24-17.
Pinson Valley took a nine-point lead into the locker room at halftime, 26-17, and came out for the second half with vengeance. After forcing a Clay-Chalkville turnover in the Cougars’ first possession of the half, the Indians went on a quick 5-0 run as junior Caleb White and Terry Connor began to take control of the game.
Once again, the Cougars’ scrappiness kept the game close as McKinnon and sophomore Victor Odari sank three-pointers on back-to-back possessions, cutting the Indians’ lead to ten points, 39-29. However, following a timeout, Pinson Valley’s Raymon McCants responded with a three-pointer pushing the Indians’ lead to 13, 42-29.
The rest of the quarter saw each team loft brick after brick as the game took a defensive. Pinson Valley led after three quarters 43-31.
The fourth quarter belonged to Pinson Valley as the Indian’s defense shut down the Cougars’ shooters while getting hot on offense again. Pinson Valley eventually pushed its lead to 20 points before easing off the accelerator. Clay-Chalkville, however, continued to battle going on a 7-0 run during the final two minutes of the game to cut the Pinson Valley lead to 12.
Final score, Pinson Valley 62, Clay-Chalkville 50.
Pinson Valley Head Coach Darrell Barber said his Indians squad did a poor job of taking care of the ball in the first half, but settled in and took control in the second half.
“I think we just got careless with the basketball. We have to play defense for four quarters and take care of the basketball, and when we get a lead not getting lax,” said Barber. “We always talk about defense and hanging our hat on defense. Late in the third quarter early in the fourth, I thought we composed ourselves defensively and we made shots.”
Pinson Valley will take on the loser of Thursday’s Cullman-Hartselle game Friday night at Pinson Valley High School. Barber said they will look at the game film and address some issues as they look to advance through the Alabama High School Basketball Playoffs.
“We need to continue to put the pressure on them and do what we need to do because we’re going to get everybody’s best shot,” Barber said.
Clay Chalkville Head Coach Chris Richardson said Wednesday’s contest against area foe Pinson was exactly what he’s come to expect when the two teams face each other.
“This is a rivalry game so we always compete with Pinson,” said Richardson. “Our guys know a lot of their guys, so it’s always a tough, competitive game every time we play.”
Ricardson said Pinson was able to make tough shots even as the Cougars’ defense fought hard all night, contesting shots and coming up with several blocks during the game.
“They made more plays than us and kind of controlled the game all the way through,” added Richardson. “They got all the 50/50 balls and made all the tough plays.”
“We did a lot of good things tonight, don’t get me wrong,” added Richardson. “That’s a really good team that’ll make good defense look like bad defense with some of the shots they make.”
Clay-Chalkville will be on the road Friday for the next round of the playoffs, taking on the winner of the Cullman-Hartselle contest.
Clay-Chalkville was led in scoring by Odari and McKinnon each with 11 points. Pinson Valley was led by White with 23 points and Coner with 21 points on the night.