Bob Jones wins Area 8 championship

Bob Jones Boys Area Champion (Photo Credit Scott Lowe)

HARVEST- Bob Jones basketball is back on top. The Patriots defeated Sparkman 49-42 Saturday night to claim their first area championship since moving to 7A. They won 53-45 over Buckhorn on Thursday to advance to the championship game.

It is just the latest chapter of an amazing turnaround in the first season under head coach Luther Tiggs.

“Worst to first, nobody gave this team a chance back in November,” Tiggs said after the game. “Our guys were laser focused. We had great preparation for Buckhorn and for Sparkman. We knew if we could find a way to match their intensity and be there in the fourth quarter we had a chance. This is a hard place to play.”

Bob Jones built an early lead and survived a Sparkman run in both the third and fourth quarter. A big three point basket by Chase Fiddler finally put the game away.

Sparkman hit only one of 13 attempts behind the three point line but the Senators tough defense forced enough turnovers to cut Bob Jones lead to one with 1:30 left in the game. Jaydon Hill hit three of four free throws to stretch the final margin.

Strong defense by Bob Jones held Sparkman to a season low 12 points in the first half. Fiddler had a blocked shot and TD Farris scored to give Bob Jones a seven point lead at halftime.

Malik Tyson led Sparkman’s run in the third quarter as he hit their only three point shot of the game. Sparkman high scoring guard Maurice Anderson had 12 points. A steal by Kaliq Green helped Sparkman close to 39-38.

Sparkman went on a 7-0 run in the fourth but Bob Jones hit enough free throws to hang on.

Tiggs used all his time outs to try to shift the momentum.

After his last time out Fiddler bravely launched a three from the deep corner.

“Chase was there early today working on his shots and that three was huge because we were reeling,” Tiggs said. “I am tickled for our kids and our program. Our goal was to win the area championship. These guys have so much heart and keep believing in each other and this coaching staff.”

In his 17th year as a head coach this may have been Tiggs’ best coaching job ever. Bob Jones had not won an area game the last two seasons and lost in the area tournament by 32 points to Sparkman last year.

The Patriots were competitive from the first game this year and won six area games.

“Why stop now,” Tiggs said. “We will go to work on Vestavia on Monday. It’s business now. Our goal is to win the region championship and get to the final four.”

Bob Jones has not made the Final Four in Birmingham since 2010 when they won the state championship.

Both teams advance to the Northwest Regional at Wallace State Hanceville. Bob Jones will face Vestavia Hills and Sparkman will face Hoover. Those games will be Feb. 16.