HANCEVILLE – Class 7A in the Alabama High School Athletic Association is just into its third year. This classification has made a name for itself in the sport of basketball in its short history.
A new champion was crowned in the Northwest Region in girls thanks to Hazel Green dropping down a classification to 6A.
That was followed by a team preventing a three-peat in the varsity division. Vestavia went toe to toe, knocking off Hoover.
Before the battle of teams from south of Birmingham, separated by Interstate 65, Hoover's Lady Bucs lived for this moment, since they have not won a regional title in three years.
Miya Kember came through with her only 3-pointer of the game, scoring with 10 seconds left in overtime, that turned out to be the game winner in a 46-45 come from behind thriller for No. 2 Hoover over No. 1 Sparkman.
The game winner was not the first option Hoover coach Krystle Johnson said in the news conference afterwards. "We're confident to knock down shots, whether it's a layup or a 3-pointer. We gave it our all."
Hoover had a 9-8 first period lead thanks to a three by Kelci Marable. But after the opening stanza, Sparkman went on top, leading 26-19 at the half and 37-31 going to the fourth.
Hoover's defense went to work, allowing Sparkman only four points in the fourth and did enough on offense with a 10-point period and get the game tied at 41-41, creating an extra four minutes to determine the regional winner.
Sparkman jumped back on top, only to see Hoover answer when it came down to the dramatic finish.
A crucial play for Hoover turned out to be from Eboni Williams when she tied up Sparkman's Terri Smith forcing an alternating possession, with the arrow pointing to Hoover's basket.
"Eboni went hard to the basket, missed the shot, but was able to get her hands on the ball," Johnson said. "That was a huge play for us."
Getting the ball back into play, Hoover worked it to the left and Kimber got a good look to deliver the shot that brought the crowd and Hoover's bench to its feet.
Sparkman had two chances in the final seconds, but failed to get the ball into the net and the No. 1 team saw its season fall a game short of heading to Birmingham next week for the final four.
"They made one more play than we did," Sparkman coach Patrick Delay replied. "Unfortunately, some one in this game had to lose. The kids played their guts out."
Sparkman has not claimed the grand prize in a regional now for the last three years. They conclude a fine season at 29-4.
No. 2 Hoover unable to prevent Vestavia from pulling off upset:
Vestavia suffered three defeats at the hands of No. 2 Hoover during the season, including a 61-37 drubbing the Rebels took from the Bucs in the 7A, Area 5 championship.
It was a different situation, with the game at a neutral location, Tuesday at Tom Drake Coliseum.
Vestavia led from the end of each quarter and took home the championship by the final of 58-47.
Vestavia coach Patrick Davis got his team to forget about the previous meetings and come to Cullman County determined that good things could come from hard work and making plays when needed.
A turning point, Davis said, was during the fourth quarter when Vestavia held Hoover on six consecutive stops that allowed the Rebels to get some breathing room and head to the Legacy Arena inside the BJCC next week with 19 wins against 14 losses.
"We had a great team defensive effort," Davis said. "We were going to hang our hats on getting those stops. We had to be better today. We felt we could be better. It was the testament of the toughness of our kids."
Tournament MVP Scott Morrison tossed in 20 points for the Rebels with all-tournament selection Mac Smith contributing 19. Both combined for 14-of-15 at the line as Morrison was perfect in eight tries with Smith getting 6-of-7.
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