AHSAA 7A Final Four Preview
The 7A state bracket featured a couple of upsets, but all four remaining teams earned the right to be here. No. 1 Mountain Brook (29-3) by far is the favorite to win the tournament. If Mountain Brook wins, the Spartans…
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Continue ReadingThe 7A state bracket featured a couple of upsets, but all four remaining teams earned the right to be here. No. 1 Mountain Brook (29-3) by far is the favorite to win the tournament. If Mountain Brook wins, the Spartans would win their third straight title. No 3. Lee Montgomery (29-3) is hoping to play the spoiler in this mega semi matchup. No. 7 Hoover (24-8) battled their way back to Birmingham and is matched up with the 7A Cinderella, Baker (20-13). Baker upset coastal power McGill-Toolen to reach the final four.
Mountain Brook (29-3)
How they got here: James Clemens (62-40) and Vestavia Hills (57-36)
Players to watch: 6’9 F Trendon Watford (2019), 6’1 CG Alex Washington (2019), 6’4 SG Colby Jones (2020). Watford is this team’s best player and one of the best in the nation. Trendon is a unique talent and a double double every given night, but he cant do it alone. Washington and Jones have been stellar in the backcourt this season and provide Mountain Brook with offensive weapons on the perimeter.
Overview: The Spartans have not lost since December. The truth is, Mountain Brook is built for this stage. Legacy Arena is their home away from home. The personnel matchups are very intriguing in the Spartans vs Generals. Lee Montgomery will test Mountain Brook, but ultimately Watford and company have been on a mission. This team has been focused, and it will not be a surprise to see the Spartans 3 peat.
Lee Montgomery (29-3)
How they got here: Smith Station (91-40) and Enterprise (67-45)
Players to watch: 6’8 F/C Demond Robinson (2019) and 6’2 PG Duke Miles (2020). Robinson is a load to handle on the block and the post is hard to keep off the glass. Duke is the engine to this team though. When the junior point guard is attacking and setting up teammates, the Generals are hard to beat.
Overview: Winners of 8 in a row, the Generals are built to battle Mountain Brook. Both these teams play a similar style. If the Generals can impose their will and limit turnovers, they will push the Spartans to the final buzzer. For Lee to be successful, Duke and Demond have to put up monster games. How Lee defends Watford will play a big part in the outcome.
Hoover (24-8)
How they got here: Sparkman (69-54) and Huntsville (62-52)
Players to watch: 6’5 SF CJ Melton (2019) and 5’11 PG Ahman Ellington (2019). These two seniors have been dynamic on the perimeter for the Bucs. Melton is a lanky two way player and Ellington is the team’s engine.
Overview: Hoover has only lost twice since January, and they are riding a 4 game win streak. This team relies on perimeter play and the 3 point shot. If the Bucs are hitting shots, they are tough to keep up with. Melton is the team’s best overall player and does everything for the Bucs. Hoover is hungry to show they are an elite team.
Baker (20-13)
How they got here: Fairhope (56-52) and McGill-Toolen (51-49)
Players to watch: 6′ PG Kriston Davis (2019), 6′ CG Curtis Redd (2019), and 6’3 SF Jalen Lilly. This trio is really fun to watch. Davis is a pit bull competitor and a 3 level scorer. Redd does a little bit of everything for his team, and Lilly is the team’s best defender.
Overview: Baker got super hot in the second half of the season and is battle tested. This game features several playmakers on the perimeter. The Davis vs Ellington matchup is the going to be a fun one to watch. The Hornets are not scared of anyone. This senior lead team is playing their best ball, and Baker is poised for another upset.