Key Highlights
- They beat Hubbertville, 78-67, to get to the title game, so both finalists will be looking for redemption when they meet Thursday evening at Birmingham's BJCC Legacy Arena. Class 1A squads looking to end long title droughts that stretch back decadesBrantley hasn't won a state championship since winning three in a row more than 30 years ago from 1993-95, but with 6-foot-9 freshman center captain Devin Melton in the post, they have to be considered the favorites.
- Melton put up 19 points, 11 rebounds, and six blocks against Wadley to power his team to victory and set up the rematch with a Hubbertville squad looking for its first state championship since 1948. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMORE INFORMATION Check out the AHSAA's full coverage of Alabama boys basketballFour defending champions still alive in the AHSAA's various classificationAlabama's top-ranked Class 7A Huntsville Panthers lost in the opening round back on February 23 to the defending state-champion Hoover Buccaneers who were the runners-up in Region 5 to the Vestavia Hills Rebels.
- But Hoover's 61-54 win over Region 8 winner Huntsville paired with the Sparkman [Harvest] Senators' 52-51 win over Vestavia Hills meant that it was a battle of two-second place teams in the regional finals, and Hoover advanced to Thursday's semifinal by virtue of a 62-59 win over Sparkman. Hoover will face the Fairhope Pirates in that final four matchup, and they have to be considered the favorites now to defend their crown after defeating the Florence Falcons, 66-56, in last year's Class 7A championship game. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOther state champions looking to repeat in Alabama's lower divisions include the Jackson Aggies (4A), Montgomery Academy Eagles (3A), and Providence Christian [Dothan] Eagles (2A).
- Class 5A's Sylacauga Aggies were finalists a year ago as well but lost to the Vigor [Prichard] Wolves, 59-49, in the championship game. Class 6A the only division to feature four new semifinalistsThe AHSAA's Class 6A semifinals feature all new faces this season after the Paul W.
- Bryant Stampede won the title, 66-54, over the Pinson Valley Indians.