DC's AL Game Picks: The Breakdown
Northridge Edges Sipsey Valley in Overtime Thriller
Last night, I visited Sipsey Valley for a great showdown between two undefeated teams looking to continue their hot streak.
Sipsey Valley got out to an early lead with the help of Martvaious Russell and his elite ability to score but would quickly be overthrown by the excellent team play from Northridge.
Northridge moved the ball exceptionally well, and Sipsey Valley had difficulty containing the open looks in the corner or quick cuts to the basket.
After being down at the half 28-24, Sipsey Valley started to go on a nice run with Russell's dominant play. He was a one-man show, scoring and rebounding the ball.
Northridge would close it out in overtime 53-51 with a quick shot at the buzzer by sophomore Jonas Wilkin, who finished with 9pts, and Patten Curington did some great work in the post putting up 10pts.
Sipsey Valley's Russell would finish with 32pts, 10 rebs, and was a great defensive presence with 4 steals and 4 blocks. He was truly unstoppable getting into the lane whenever he pleased. Though he did not get the win, it was a great performance nonetheless. Dalton Bailey would also chip in with 14pts with his solid shooting from the midrange and slashes to the basket.
Sipsey Valley travels to Holt on Thursday.
Northridge will travel to Homewood on Thursday.
Spanish Fort def. Faith Academy
In a Tuesday night match-up, Spanish Fort gets a strong win against Faith Academy. Spanish Fort came out very aggressive and got easy looks around the perimeter to build a solid lead heading into the half.
Spanish Fort is a quick transitional team that lives by the three and is a solid squad that has aspirations to make it back to the state championship. With two elite players returning from last season, I would say that their chances are pretty strong.
Kolby Horace, a 6-foot-3 guard, put on a scoring clinic with his quick attacks into the lane and deep range shooting. He finished with 33pts and did a great job facilitating. Horace would be the leading guy getting his team a 79-61 victory.
The Citadel commit Colby McAllister finished with 23 pts and really got into his bag getting to the rack. McAllister has a lot of upside to his game and is one of those favored skills in his shooting.
The Citadel’s assistant coach Brad Mason said that McAllister’s shooting and style of play would fit perfectly with their program. Last night McAllister finished with a near triple-double of 22pts, 10ast, and 8rebs, getting a solid 61-50 win over St. Paul’s.
Spanish Fort will be back in action at this year’s Mountain Brook Turkey Jam on Nov. 22nd.
Under the Radar
Donte Bacchus is a 6-foot-5 two-way guard that I caught wind of during the summer. He is an elite scorer that can finish at the rack and has a nice pull-up jumper at the high post. He’s a threat in the one-on-one, and with his solid handles, he does great at breaking down defenders.
In just two games for Homewood, Bacchus has put up some nice numbers that have been a strong reason for his team’s early success. In a blowout victory against Bessemer City, he led the way with 23pts, and last night he dropped 27pts and pulled down 6 rebounds in a 70-54 win against Calera.
Homewood will host Northridge on Thursday, Nov. 18; both teams head into the game still perfect, so it should be a good one.
You can catch the live game stream on the NFHS Network: Homewood vs Northridge - Boys Varsity Basketball 11/18/2021 | Live & On Demand (nfhsnetwork.com)
Scores Update Nov. 15th & 16th
Mountain Brook 55, Thompson 51
Oak Mountain 49, Ramsay 38
Grissom 80, James Clemens 66
Hoover 63, Huffman 58 - OT
Spain Park 59, Jacksonville 52
Pinson Valley 73, Center Point 31
Lee 52, Sparkman 40
James Clemens 66, Grissom 80
Huntsville 50, Madison Academy 46
Cornerstone 55, Gardendale 73
Albertville 60, Fort Payne 57
Buckhorn 33, Bob Jones 27
Mae Jemison 45, Hazel Green 41
