Sparkman wins area tournament; poised for run at a state championship
HARVEST- Buckhorn stayed close for one quarter before Sparkman blew away the Bucks Saturday night to claim the Class 7A, Area 8 Championship 68-29. Both teams move on to the AHSAA Northwest Regional at Wallace St. Hanceville. Sparkman will face Tuscaloosa County and Buckhorn will face Hoover on Thursday Feb. 15, times will be announced later.
Buckhorn led after one quarter and the game was tied at 14 before Sparkman turned up the defensive pressure and went on a 10-0 run. Derienne Black had a three-point play on a fast break as Sparkman forced several turnovers that led to fast break scores. Then TJ Webster hit a three and Black again driving the baseline gave Sparkman a 14-point halftime lead.
Thet lead swelled to 33 points before the subs went in for both teams. Deyana Dodd, Black, and Deserea Walker all had 14 points for Sparkman.
The pressure defense frustrates opponents into committing turnovers and Sparkman shoots a high percentage and has the shooters to knock down three pointers. To beat Sparkman it is going to take a team with superior ball handling skills and shoots a high percentage.
Sparkman Coach Patrick Delay has the team playing better than ever going into the state playoffs.
“This was the first game since before Christmas that everyone who went in the game played well. It’s hard to win an area championship. Nothing is easy this time of year so we’re thankful to get this victory,” Delay said. “Here at Sparkman we expect to make a deep push in the playoffs. Winning 20 games is great but we want to contend for a state championship.
We have balanced scoring. We have five kids that any night can put up 10 to 15 points. In the postseason it starts with guard play. You got to be able to handle the ball and defend on the perimeter. The post play, you got to have that as well, but for you to have a chance to go deep in the playoffs you have to have the guards handle the ball and get us in the right sets. Post players can score and rebound and do their thing but it starts with the guard play.”
Sparkman can roll out some players with size like Sierra McCullough and Jabrea White, both close to six foot tall.
Sparkman last made the state championship game in 2014 where they were favored but were upset by Shades Valley. They have not won a state championship since 2007.
“Tuscaloosa County will present a great challenge for us. We have played them once and they led us with about 4 minutes left in the game,” Delay said.
