The Fultondale boys basketball team (10-2, 3-0 Class 3A, Area 9) turned up the defense on Tuesday night as the Wildcats came back from an early deficit to beat league foe Holy Family Catholic, 61-47.

After trailing by as many as six points in the second quarter and eventually going to the break tied at 19, Fultondale came out of the locker room with a full-court press defense which forced several Tornado mistakes and opened the door to plenty of transition offense. The Wildcats outscored Holy Family 21-13 in the third quarter to take a 40-32 advantage going into the final eight minutes of play.

A no-look pass from junior guard Will Smith later opened up Fultondale senior Dexter Lewis for an easy bucket that extended the lead to 48-39 with 5:40 remaining. Point guard Cam Silmon would put the game on ice with a pair of transition layups down the stretch. The sophomore was one of four Wildcats to score in double figures, including Jaylon Hicks (14), Lewis (13) and Smith (12). Silmon matched Lewis with 13 points for the home team and sophomore Joshua Maston came through with nine points of his own.

The first quarter would end in a 6-5 Holy Family lead, but that’s when Hicks came off the bench to trigger some offense. He checked in at the start of the second frame and quickly got out in transition for a bucket. Hicks later pulled up from the right side for his only 3-point make of the evening before driving the baseline for an up-and-under finish off the glass, which gave Fultondale a 33-30 cushion late in the half.

“I just had to catch a rhythm again. It was really like any other game after I catch my rhythm,” said Hicks, who sat out the first eight minutes as a punishment for being late to practice.

Points were particularly elusive early on due to the presence of Holy Family senior Elijah Clark. His shot-blocking ability was on full display, but penalties piled on and eventually took him off the floor.

Clark picked up his third foul midway through the second, bumping Lewis on his way up for an and-1. The powerful senior would, however, play through the foul trouble until Fultondale senior Laqueon Bell took a charge in the paint, fouling Clark out late in the third.

With no one left to protect the rim, Fultondale ate well from then on.

The Wildcats visit Westminster Thursday.

The Fultondale girls basketball team (7-2, 2-1 Class 3A, Area 9) cruised to victory on Tuesday night in area play.

The Wildcats established a double-digit lead midway through the first quarter and never looked back on their way to a 59-14 win over Holy Family Catholic.

“Every game right now is for the playoffs. We’re preparing for the playoffs where it really counts,” said Fultondale head coach Brent Barns.

Per his usual routine, Barns called on every player available to provide significant minutes for the home team. He utilized a platoon system, subbing in four and five girls at a time throughout the contest. The strategy resulted in a 22-4 lead after one, a 40-11 lead at the half and a 53-12 cushion after three quarters of play.

“We don’t have a lot of girls on our team, so literally everyone has to play,” said Barns. “We don’t have a developmental year for our kids, due to us not having big numbers, so I try hard to play every single girl to get those experiences for the playoffs.”

Sophomore guards Prea Sherman and Dushonti Smith both looked in postseason form. Smith did her best work in the paint, driving inside for 15 points on Tuesday night. Sherman, on the other hand, showcased her ability from beyond the arc with three triples in the first half. Sherman matched Smith with 15 points.

Junior forward Annie Lowe took command of the Wildcats’ offense with nine points in the second half. She worked for great position inside and capitalized more times than not. Lowe finished with 11 points for Fultondale. Freshman Tanita Swift added nine points of her own, five of which came in the opening minutes of the game.

The Wildcats visit Westminster Thursday.

The Mortimer Jordan boys basketball team (8-11, 4-0 Class 5A, Area 11) got back on track Tuesday night with a convincing area win over Jasper. Senior Ronnie Wright led the Blue Devils to a 50-30 win with 14 points. 

The win breaks a seven-game skid. Mortimer Jordan visits Dora Friday.

The Mortimer Jordan girls basketball team (12-6, 4-0 Class 5A, Area 11) notched a 62-26 area win over Jasper Tuesday night. Three Blue Devils posted double digit point totals in the scorebook, including MacKynzie Watson (16), Sarah Kanaday (13) and Bellah Machen (11).

Mortimer Jordan returns to play on Friday at Dora.