SURVIVE and ADVANCE Sub-Regional Stars Shine When It Matters Most

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">It was win or go home as sub-regional play brought urgency, intensity, and statements. Some teams survived tight battles. Others sent a message. Either way, tickets were punched and the road to Regionals was on. Here is a deep dive into the squads that refused to let their season end…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><em>From the opening tip, the Cougars overwhelmed Decatur en route to a commanding 74-42 victory, controlling the tempo, the glass, and the paint. It was physical. It was decisive. It was postseason basketball executed at a high level.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Standout Players:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2748364' first='Christian' last='Bennett']</strong> (6'3/PF/'28/Clay-Chalkville)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Christian will most likely be playing on the gridiron at the next level, but for now, he is using his 285lb frame to terrorize the paint for the Cougars. His agility is one of the most surprising elements of his game, and his tough interior presence was too much for Decatur to combat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2194893' first='Demar' last='Hinton']</strong> (6'3/CG/'27/Clay-Chalkville)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: Demar23_</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @Demar23_</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Demar continues to lead Clay as he poured in 20pts in 3 quarters, helping to pace Clay to the blowout win. He is showing just how dangerous he is as a shot creator with a variety of scoring tools.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><em>Homewood and Shades Valley locked into a gritty, low-scoring battle that felt like every possession could decide the season. In the end, Homewood escaped with a 38-36 nail-biter, proving toughness is a key in the playoffs.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Standout Players:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2748311' first='Kam' last='Foster']</strong> (6'1/CG/'28/Homewood)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: Showtime_kam2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @Showtime_kam2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Kam brought pure energy as he impacted the game beyond the scoring column with timely rebounds in traffic, disruptive defense using his length, and constant activity that kept Shades Valley uncomfortable. He played with urgency and effort every possession, the kind of performance that wins tight playoff games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>David Walden</strong> (CG/'26/Homewood HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Davis is Homewood's go-to when they need someone to guard the opponent's best player. He made [player_tooltip player_id='1958751' first='Jeremy' last='Chatman']'s life difficult, even though Jeremy had a really good game. The plan was to make Chatman work, and in the end, it was successful as David was pesky all night long.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2832717' first='Kaleb' last='Carson']</strong> (5'11/PG/‘26/Homewood)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @KCarson10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Kaleb continues to show his multi-level scoring ability. He continues to produce even when being face guarded for 94 ft. He picked up his 1k point in the sub-regional game as he scored 21 of the team's 38pts</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><em>Guntersville wasted no time handling business picking up an 80-45 win over Priceville highlighting their balance, depth, and offensive firepower. The Wildcats were sharp, unselfish, and relentless from start to finish.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Standout Players:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Grayson Moon</strong> (6'4/Wing/'26/Guntersville)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Grayson finished with 19pts, as he showed his inside and outside scoring ability. He is a strong rebounder as he was active on the glass on both ends of the floor. When you look at this Guntersville squad, he is the proven X factor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2748297' first='Kobe' last='Brothers']</strong> (6'3/SG/'28/Guntersville)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: Kobebrothers2028</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @Kobebrothers3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Kobe poured in 17pts as he was aggressive from the jump, finding the bucket from behind the arc and off dribble penetration. He is a high-motor, high-energy guy who is playing sensational at the right time. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2892684' first='Westin' last='Hammond']</strong> (6'1/CG/'28/Guntersville)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: westinhammond_2028</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @westinhammond28</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Westin finished with 18pts from the point guard spot. He did a really good job balancing scoring and facilitating on the offensive end of the floor. Defensively, he played ferocious lockdown defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->