Vikings and Spartans Set For Title Battle

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The stage is set.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Mountain Brook is hosting the Class 6A Area 10 Tournament Championship, and just as many predicted, it is a collision course with Huffman. Both squads defended their home floor during the regular season. Now, with a title on the line and postseason positioning at stake, someone's streak, and someone's pride, will give way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Tip-off is set for 6 PM at Mountain Brook. Expect a packed gym. Expect intensity. Expect playoff basketball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">This is not just another area game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">This is about who controls the tempo, who controls the paint, and who controls the moment.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Huffman HS (18-13 According To MaxPreps)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Coach Ward's squad is built on grit, youth, and pace. The Vikings want this game played fast. They want chaos. They want pressure on the rim and paint touches that collapse the defense. If Huffman wins tonight, it will be because they dictated tempo.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Braylen Malone</strong> (6'0/G|F/'28/Huffman)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Braylen is one of the younger guys that Coach Ward will be looking to contribute. He will need to bring energy and provide toughness on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Tristian Craig</strong> (6'1/PF/'29/Huffman)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Tristian will be looked upon to bring a presence on the inside. He is a freshman who will see action, and the coaching staff does not believe that the moment is too big for him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Aaden Allen</strong> (6'0/W/'28/Huffman)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Aaden will be looked upon to provide a scoring threat on the perimeter. He is a young guy on the squad who has gained Coach Ward's trust, and his ability to facilitate and score if needed will be vital.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Coach Ward believes his team has to push the ball in transition, play with pace, get the ball inside to his post guys, and put pressure on the Spartans' interior guys. If the Vikings turn this into an up-and-down battle and put consistent pressure on the rim, they can walk out of Mountain Brook with hardware.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Mountain Brook HS (19-7, According To MaxPreps)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Mountain Brook enters with home-court advantage and a backcourt that thrives in big moments. Coach Davis' group is disciplined. They value possessions, shoot it well, defend collectively, and in championship games, execution matters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Parker Wright</strong> (5'10/PG/'26/Mountain Brook HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: Parkerwright9</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @Parkerwright9</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Parker is a feisty PG who will need to bring what he is known for to the floor: playing hard on every possession, with energy and effort. His ability to space the floor with the trey ball will be needed for the Spartans to be successful.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2313910' first='Braden' last='Little']</strong> (5'10/PG/'26/Mountain Brook HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: @bradenlittle33</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Braden is a dynamic young PG who will need to bring his playmaking abilities to the floor throughout the entire game. His ability to score and facilitate will be vital.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2455020' first='Hill' last='McCluney']</strong> (6'4/C/'26/Mountain Brook)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Hill will be key for the Spartans, as he is the primary inside presence. Both teams have really good guard play, and there will be production on both sides from the perimeter, but if Hill can provide toughness and production in the paint on both ends of the floor, the Spartans will have a good chance to pull out the win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Coach Davis knows he will need all of his guys to be efficient on offense by taking great shots, taking care of the ball, and rebounding as a unit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->