By Johnny Sanders, Sports Editor
Pinson Valley
Boys: After a bit of a struggle through the holidays, the Indians have fought their way back and are 3-2 in the new year. This past week consisted of two regular season games and an appearance in the MLK Classic at Fairfield.
First up was a road trip to Mortimer Jordan. The Indians got the road win 58-49. Austin Coner led the team with 17 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Jamarcus Thomas had 14 points and six rebounds. Quay Lynch had 12 points and three assists and Clyde Walters had 10 assists to go with nine rebounds and seven points, just shy of a triple double.
In game two of the week, the Indians took on JAG, who was 18-1 and ranked eighth in 7A basketball. Pinson walked away with an impressive 70-58 win over the Jaguars. Walters scored 27 to go with his eight rebounds and three assists, followed by Coner with 13 points, seven assists and five rebounds. Lynch had 12 points and Thomas had eight points to go with a team-high 10 rebounds.
In the final game of the week, Pinson participated in the MLK Classic at Fairfield and lost to the top team in 5A, the Fairfield Tigers (21-2) by a score of 52-46. Coner had 14 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Frost had a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Thomas finished with 10 rebounds.
The Indians sit at 14-9 overall and 1-1 in the area, good enough for second place. This week will include a trip to Huntsville on Wednesday night, a trip to Mortimer Jordan Thursday, and a trip to Meadowbrook on Saturday afternoon.
Girls: The Lady Indians played Mortimer Jordan and Wenonah this past week, losing both matchups.
The first game had the Indians hosting Mortimer Jordan and dropping the contest 61-45. The second game was a 51-41 loss to Wenonah.
Pinson falls to 8-10 on the season, but find themselves just 0-1 in the area, good enough for second place, with area games coming up. Wednesday, they will head to Huntsville followed by a trip to Mortimer Jordan on Thursday night.
Moody
Boys: The 411 Boys had another tough week dropping both games they played. The Friday-night game against Saint Clair County was postponed due to the threat of bad weather.
First up was a trip down 174 to Springville to take on the red-hot Tigers in a big area rivalry game. The Tigers would walk away with a dominant 68-47 victory over the Blue Devils.
In the second game of the week, the Blue Devils welcomed the Warriors from Westbrook and the visitors took a 52-41 victory home with them.
Moody is now 5-14 on the season and 1-3 in the area, good enough for third place. This week, they will open with Saint Clair County on Tuesday night, followed by a Friday night trip to Leeds to take on the Greenwave and a trip to Pell City on Saturday.
Girls: The 411 Girls remain dominant on the season, winning all three games they played this past week and continuing to establish themselves as one of the premiere teams in all of girls basketball.
The first game was a redemption game against Springville, one of only two teams to conquer the Lady Blue Devils this season. Moody got out of Springville with a 48-36 win. Eight grader Serenity Rutledge continues to shine for the Lady Blue Devils. In this game, she had 21 points to go with six steals and eight rebounds. Jayla Whitsey had 10 points (eight from the charity stripe) in the game to go with Tori Pyles’ 10 rebounds.
Next up was a trip to Westbrook Christian where the girls would pick up a dominant 75-41 win over the Warriors.
We week’s finale would come at Leeds High School where the Blue Devils took on Briarwood Christian and won 58-46. Jayla Whitsey ended the night as the scoring leader with 18 points to go with 16 each from Pyles and Rutledge.
Moody moves to 19-2 on the season and 3-1 in the area. That puts them in second place, but the tie breaker at the end of the season is very likely to come down to a flip of the coin. Stay tuned for the drama.
Moody will host Saint Clair County on Tuesday, followed by a trip to Leeds in the Battle of the Bridge part 2 on Friday night.
Leeds
Boys: The Greenwave split their two games this week, traveling to Saint Clair County and whipping the Saints 45-28 and then weathering the bad storms on Friday night, but coming up a point short against Springville, 39-38. The Monday game with John Carroll was cancelled due to potential bad weather.
The 1-1 week leads the Greenwave to a 10-10 overall record and 3-2 in the area which puts them in second place to Springville. The lone game this week will be a Friday night game against Moody at home.
Girls: The young Lady Greenwave won one and dropped one this week as well, defeating Saint Clair County on Tuesday in dominating fashion, 43-14.
Friday night, the Greenies hosted Springville but Coach House and company walked away with a 65-17 win over Leeds.
Coach Gulock’s girls continue to fight despite the 4-15 record and they sit at third place in the area with a 2-3 record.
This week, Leeds will go to Spain Park on Tuesday followed by a Friday night rivalry game against Moody.
Springville
Boys: The Tigers are playing very good basketball headed into the final stretch of the season. This week was no different as Springville took down two area rivals.
The first area rival to go down to the Tigers was Moody. The Blue Devils entered the Purple Palace and the end result was a Springville win, 68-47.
Next up was a Friday night trip to Leeds to take on the Greenwave, where it was a last-second win for Springville, 39-38 in what was a great basketball game.
Springville is now 16-7 overall and 6-0 in area as they are the lone number one, clinching the top seed with the win over Leeds Friday night.
This week, Springville will play out of area twice, taking on Fort Payne on Tuesday and traveling to Pelham on Friday night.
Girls: The Lady Tigers had a bit of a rough week, though they did snag an area road win in the middle of their two losses this week.
The first game of the week saw the Moody Blue Devils visit the Purple Palace and walk away with the revenge win, 48-36. Bella Bullington led the Tigers with eight points and 13 rebounds in the game.
Next up was the trip to Leeds, a game the Lady Tigers dominated 65-17.
Lastly, the Tigers took a trip to Spring Garden and came home with a 74-29 loss.
Springville is now 12-11 overall, but they sit atop the area with a 4-1 record.
The Lady Tigers will welcome Fort Payne on Tuesday and travel to Pelham on Monday night.