By Erik Harris, sports editor
PINSON — The Pinson Valley boys saw it come to an end on Friday night at home.
Two days after knocking off top-ranked Hartselle, the No. 7-ranked Indians fell to Scottsboro 69-67 in the second round of the Class 6A playoffs, ending their season at 20-5 overall.
Due to multiple postponements on the topside of the Northwest bracket, Scottsboro is unsure who its Elite 8 opponent will be. Possibilities include No. 6 Clay-Chalkville, Muscle Shoals, Hazel Green and Buckhorn. The Wildcats will play one of them next Tuesday in the Northwest Regional finals at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville.
The game went to overtime on Friday tied at 59, and Scottsboro opened the extra period on a 5-0 run that would prove too much to overcome for the home team. Wildcats senior Javaris Branford sank three attempts in two free-throw appearances in the final seconds to preserve the playoff win.
Pinson Valley senior Joshua Williams (5) works inside during a playoff game on Feb. 19, 2021.
Photo by Vickie Unlap (fodaction.com)
Still, Pinson Valley senior Jordan Worsham found a great look at the would-be equalizer at the horn, but saw it rattle out of the cylender as the clock rolled empty. Scottsboro fans stormed the floor in Mike Dutton Gymnasium.
The Wildcats offered a ballanced offense that saw four players break double figures in scoring. Forward Jordan Davis, despite fouling out in overtime, led with 18 to go with 13 from Andrew Parker Bell, 12 from Tyson Sexton and 11 from B.J. Harris.
Scottsboro ran out to a fast start on the road, scoring 13 of the game’s first 15 points. The Wildcats later ended the opening frame up 13-9.
But the Tribe answered with a big second quarter, lining up four straight 3-pointers from three different players in the final two minutes to carry a 32-24 advantage into the break. Sophomore Terry Coner sank two of those shots to go with one apiece from Joshua Williams and Isaiah Sims, Jr.
Williams would finish with a Pinson-high 18 points followed by fellow senior JoJo James with 17 in the loss.
The Indians graduate five seniors this season, including Williams, James, Worsham, Carlos Finch and Moe Calloway.
