#1-Ranked Huffman Edges #2-Ranked Mountain Brook

In a battle of Class 6A heavyweights, the top two teams in the state faced off with the area championship on the line. The #1-ranked Huffman Vikings hosted the #2-ranked Mountain Brook Spartans, with both teams splitting their regular-season meetings—each protecting their home court. This decisive matchup lived up to the hype, coming down to the final play in a game that had fans on the edge of their seats.   A Defensive Tug-of-War to Start   The first quarter set the tone for a defensive battle, with both teams struggling to find their offensive rhythm. Mountain Brook, known for their methodical half-court sets, aimed to dissect Huffman's defense with precision passing and patience. On the other hand, Huffman leaned into their athleticism, pushing the pace in transition but finding it difficult to convert early opportunities.   Despite the slow start, Mountain Brook managed to carve out a slim 8-4 lead by the end of the first period, as both sides locked in defensively, making every possession a grind.   Offenses Heat Up in the Second Quarter   The second quarter saw both teams break through offensively, with their stars stepping up when it mattered most.   For Huffman, [player_tooltip player_id='2748287' first='Antonio' last='Hill'] (6'5/G|F/'28), the Vikings' freshman phenom, showcased his versatile skill set. With good positional size, solid handles, and an aggressive dribble-drive game, Hill attacked the Spartans' defense relentlessly. His explosiveness off the bounce and ability to finish at the rim made him a constant threat, while his work on the boards kept Huffman in striking distance.   Complementing Hill's performance was Ke'von Walker (6'6/PF|C/'25), who was very active on the glass and provided key second-chance opportunities. Walker's presence in the paint frustrated Mountain Brook's defense, and he hit a pivotal three-pointer with 3:41 left in the half, capping a 7-0 Huffman run that cut the Spartans' lead to one.   Mountain Brook established an early inside presence through [player_tooltip player_id='2415265' first='Jack' last='Bakken'] (6'7/PF/'25). Bakken's aggressive post play put pressure on Walker early, forcing Huffman's big man to adjust defensively. Mountain Brook's strategy of attacking the interior paid off, allowing them to maintain a slim lead despite Huffman's late surge.   At halftime, Mountain Brook clung to a narrow 21-20 advantage.   Halftime Adjustments and Momentum Shifts   During the halftime break, Huffman's head coach Steve Ward emphasized the need for better post defense, acknowledging Mountain Brook's dominance in the paint. Unfortunately, Spartans head coach Tyler Davis declined to comment on his team's adjustments.   Huffman came out of the locker room energized, quickly grabbing the lead in the third quarter. However, Mountain Brook responded in kind, setting the stage for a back-and-forth battle.   [player_tooltip player_id='2313910' first='Braden' last='Little'] (5'10/PG/'26/Mountain Brook) ignited the Spartans' offense with a pair of clutch three-pointers in the quarter, finding his rhythm and scoring eight points in the frame. His confidence and shot-making ability provided a spark for Mountain Brook, keeping them within striking distance.   On the other side, Huffman's floor general, [player_tooltip player_id='1398555' first='Peyton' last='Wiggins'] (6'2/PG/'25/Huffman), put his mark on the game. His ability to orchestrate the offense and penetrate the defense for scoring opportunities kept the Vikings' attack balanced. Both teams traded blows throughout the quarter, and by the time the buzzer sounded, the game was tied at 38 apiece.   A Nail-Biting Final Quarter   The fourth quarter was a tense affair, with both teams extending their defenses and looking to force turnovers. After trading baskets, Huffman edged ahead 42-40 with 5:38 remaining, but Mountain Brook refused to let them pull away.   With just under two minutes left and Huffman clinging to a 48-45 lead, the Vikings attempted to run down the clock. However, a costly turnover with 1:26 remaining gave Mountain Brook a chance. [player_tooltip player_id='2313910' first='Braden' last='Little'], rising to the occasion once again, buried a huge three-pointer with 1:06 left, tying the game at 48.   Huffman's [player_tooltip player_id='2788724' first='Timothy' last='Austin'] (6'2/CG/'25/Huffman), typically known for his defensive prowess, made a crucial offensive impact in the second half. His aggressive drives to the rim drew fouls, but he went just 1-of-2 from the free-throw line with 48 seconds left, giving Huffman a slim 49-48 lead.   Mountain Brook had one final opportunity to reclaim the lead but couldn't capitalize, turning the ball over in the closing seconds. Huffman's Ke'von Walker sealed the deal, hitting one of two free throws with 12 seconds remaining. A final turnover by Mountain Brook secured Huffman's hard-fought 50-48 victory, crowning them the 6A Area Champions.   Final Thoughts   This showdown between the top two teams in Class 6A delivered everything you'd expect from a championship game—grit, intensity, and clutch performances. Huffman's resilience, fueled by standout efforts from [player_tooltip player_id='2748287' first='Antonio' last='Hill'], Ke'von Walker, and [player_tooltip player_id='2788724' first='Timothy' last='Austin'], proved just enough to edge out a determined Mountain Brook squad. With this win, the Vikings solidify their position as the team to beat in 6A heading into the postseason.   Huffman:   [player_tooltip player_id='2788724' first='Timothy' last='Austin'] 13pts   [player_tooltip player_id='2748287' first='Antonio' last='Hill'] 11pts   [player_tooltip player_id='1398555' first='Peyton' last='Wiggins'] 10pts   Mountain Brook:   [player_tooltip player_id='2313910' first='Braden' last='Little'] 13pts   [player_tooltip player_id='2415265' first='Jack' last='Bakken'] 8pts   Next:   Mountain Brook at Homewood (Saturday Feb. 8)   Minor at Huffman (Saturday Feb. 8)

In a battle of Class 6A heavyweights, the top two teams in the state faced off with the area championship on the line. The #1-ranked Huffman Vikings hosted the #2-ranked Mountain Brook Spartans, with both teams splitting their regular-season meetings—each protecting their home court. This decisive matchup lived up to the hype, coming down to the final play in a game that had fans on the edge of their seats.