Elite Eight Vie for Final Four Spots

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6A Boys Basketball Regional Championship Preview</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cullman vs Buckhorn</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1905923"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The key matchup to watch will be between Carver senior forward Conor McPhearson and Park Crossing senior guard Jaden Scott. McPhearson has put up big numbers for Carver this season, averaging 18.7 points, 7 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.4 steals per game. He uses his 6'5u0022 frame well in the post while also having the ability to step out and hit midrange jumpers.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"Jaden Scott","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Park Crossing","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Scott has been the catalyst for Park Crossing's success this season. He's averaging 17.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 3.3 steals and 1.1 blocks per game. Scott is a well-rounded player who can beat you with his scoring and playmaking ability, as well as his perimeter defense.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1392154"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1392154' first='Joshua' last='Williams'] put on an impressive offensive performance in Helena's regional semifinal win, scoring 33 points to lead his team to victory. The senior guard showed his full arsenal, blowing by defenders for layups, knocking down midrange jumpers off the dribble, and hitting six threes in transition. Williams is nearly impossible to defend one-on-one with his quick first step, shooting range, body control at the rim, and ability to exploit any space given. His scoring outburst proved he can single-handedly take over a game. With his blend of shot creation and shooting touch, Williams is a matchup nightmare. Helena will need another big game from their star guard to advance past the regional championship.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1091949"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1091949' first='Ty' last='Davis'] was key in Mountain Brook reaching the 6A regional finals with his two-way play. Defensively, Davis utilized his quickness and athleticism to pressure opposing guards, create turnovers and deflections, and contest shots at the rim. Offensively, he pushed transition pace and showed good court vision in halfcourt, finding open teammates and picking his spots to attack the basket himself. Davis complemented Mountain Brook's frontcourt scorers as a secondary ball handler, reducing their burden. His contributions on both ends, through defensive disruption and unselfish offensive play, make Davis a valuable piece to Mountain Brook's success. His overall impact all over the court helped drive his team to the regional championship game.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["2257657"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Cullman senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2257657' first='Sam' last='Duskin'] provides a versatile scoring threat from the forward position. Standing at 6'6u0022, Duskin has the size to score down low in the post while also able to step out and knock down perimeter shots. He leverages his size advantage against smaller defenders in the paint for easy buckets around the rim. Duskin also has deep shooting range, capable of knocking down three-pointers off the catch or pull-up. His inside-outside scoring ability forces defenders to account for him at all times on the court. Duskin's scoring prowess and versatility makes him a tough matchup for opposing teams. He is a primary reason why Cullman has found success this season, providing an offensive focal point through his elite shooting and size mismatch in the frontcourt.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65d0fa1b5dd4c"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This North regional matchup pits Cullman (23-8) against Buckhorn (25-5). Cullman comes into this game riding a 12-game winning streak led by senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2257657' first='Sam' last='Duskin'], who is averaging 14 points per game. Buckhorn has won 8 of their last 10 games behind a staunch defense allowing just 45 points per game during that stretch. The key matchup will be Buckhorn's defense trying to slow down Cullman's dynamic offense. Expect a close, low-scoring game that could come down to the final possessions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McAdory vs Helena</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West regional foes McAdory (20-11) and Helena (26-8) face off for a berth to the state semifinals. McAdory likes to push the pace with their pressure defense, forcing over 10 turnovers per game. Helena has the guard play to counter that pressure, led by senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1392154' first='Joshua' last='Williams'] and his 4 assists per game. This game may be decided by who controls the tempo- if McAdory can speed up the game, they should pull off the win. But if Helena slows things down in the halfcourt, they have the shooters to come out on top.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mountain Brook vs Homewood</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Birmingham matchup features Mountain Brook (25-5) against Homewood (24-8). Mountain Brook has overwhelmed teams with their cohesive team play, led by Creighton Commit [player_tooltip player_id='1091949' first='Ty' last='Davis'] and his 17 points and 5 rebounds per game. Homewood will look to use their quickness and shooting to counter Mountain Brook's size advantage. The Patriots move the ball well and have three players averaging double figures, led by senior big man [player_tooltip player_id='2257652' first='David' last='Stone']'s 13 points per game. Expect Mountain Brook's [player_tooltip player_id='1091949' first='Ty' last='Davis'] to be too much for Homewood in the end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Park Crossing vs Carver</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>East regional foes Park Crossing (17-11) and Carver Montgomery (16-14) clash with a trip to the state semifinals on the line. Both teams are coming in hot, with Park Crossing winning 10 of 11 and Carver on a 7-game win streak. The key matchup will be Park Crossing's high-scoring offense, averaging over 63 points per game, against Carver's defense which is giving up just 54 points per contest. If Park Crossing can push the pace and find open shots against Carver's aggressive man-to-man defense, they should advance. But if the game slows down into a defensive battle, Carver has the edge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->