SUB-REGIONAL: Muscle Shoals defeats Cullman

<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 20%; text-align: center;"> </td> <td style="width: 20%; text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>1Q</strong></span></td> <td style="width: 20%; text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>2Q</strong></span></td> <td style="width: 20%; text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>3Q</strong></span></td> <td style="width: 20%; text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>4Q</strong></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 20%; text-align: center;"><strong>Cullman Bearcats</strong></td> <td style="width: 20%; text-align: center;"><strong>9</strong></td> <td style="width: 20%; text-align: center;"><strong>22</strong></td> <td style="width: 20%; text-align: center;"><strong>33</strong></td> <td style="width: 20%; text-align: center;"><strong>46</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 20%; text-align: center;"><strong>Muscle Shoals Trojans</strong></td> <td style="width: 20%; text-align: center;"><strong>12</strong></td> <td style="width: 20%; text-align: center;"><strong>26</strong></td> <td style="width: 20%; text-align: center;"><strong>43</strong></td> <td style="width: 20%; text-align: center;"><strong>67</strong></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Muscle Shoals defeated Cullman to advance to the Northeast Regional at Wallace State Community College. Below is a look at the top 2 players from each team.</p> <p><strong>Jayden Sullins, Cullman:</strong> You can tell by the way Jayden handles himself that he is a leader for his team. On Tuesday, he struggled to shoot the ball. It just wasn't his night. He had good strong moves in the paint but the ball never seemed to drop. Despite a low scoring night, he still continued to attack. He was fearless and never afraid to hit the deck for his team. He passes well with both his right and left hands. He is strong on the boards. He understood how to dictate the pace of the game. Muscle Shoals wanted to play fast and he knew he had to slow the game down if he wanted his team to have a chance. </p> <p><strong>Max Gambrill, Cullman: </strong>Max led the way for the Bearcats with 13 points. He was patient with the shot fake in the paint which baited players like <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/mikey-mcintosh/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/mikey-mcintosh/">Mikey McIntosh</a></a> trying to get a highlight block. Max was good at following the play and getting rewarded with offensive rebounds. He got in early foul trouble and had to sit a good chunk of the second quarter. You can't get into foul trouble in the post season when your team needs you most. When guarding someone as versatile as McIntosh, it's important to fight for your position on both offense and defense. Don't let him bully you around on the block.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/mikey-mcintosh/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/mikey-mcintosh/">Mikey McIntosh</a></a>, Muscle Shoals:</strong> Mikey started the game off hot. He went straight to the post where he knew he had a mismatch. He didn't have the look he wanted, but passed beautifully when the double team came. The next possession, he came over with picturesque help-side defense and got the block. He loves to take the ball coast to coast off the defensive rebound. He bullied the smaller Max Gambrill in the post, sealing him off to get the ball over the top. Several times he made big effort plays by getting on the floor for the lose ball. With 2:15 remaining in the game, he put the nail in the coffin driving down main street and finishing with an emphatic dunk to the home crowd's delight. He's going to have to shine at Wallace State if his team wants to advance further. </p> <p><strong>Ty Smith, Muscle Shoals:</strong> Big time players make big time plays. It always seemed like Ty Smith was making the big play. He was great at finishing through contact. He could finish from either side of the basket and attack with either hand. He could alter his shot in midair if necessary. He was great at anticipating the passing lanes and getting big steals. Every time Cullman got close, he pulled the Trojans farther away. He was lucky and got most of his points in the paint, but the deeper they get in the playoffs, he'll have to show he can shoot the ball or his team may be in trouble. He led all scorers with 21 points. </p>