Tabernacle Christian basketball 2019

The Tabernacle Christian boys basketball team (11-7) stormed to a 47-11 area win over Clay Friday night in Gardendale.

The Torches put three players in double figures scoring on their way to a runaway victory in front of their home crowd. Junior Tyler Andrews paced the offense with 12 points to go with 11 points from Drew Peters and 10 points from Isaac Anderson.

Anderson, a Tabernacle senior, dominated the opening quarter of play, getting out in transition for all 10 of his points and sending the Torches to the second frame with a 16-2 lead. Peters opened up the second with a hard baseline take, fighting through contact and converting an and-1 opportunity.

Andrews came to life midway through the second, as he took turns from opposite corners. The junior popped back to back baseline 3-pointers, swelling the difference to 29 points with 3:00 remaining in the first half.

For Tabernacle head coach Matt Grimes, the second half was about little more than giving minutes to all.

“Everyone at least got the enjoyment of getting out here and playing and working with some of the bench guys that don’t always get in,” said Grimes. “We tried working on some things and experimenting with things that we don’t normally do.”

Grimes said this was the first night he’s implemented a full-court, man-to-man press. Based on the scoreboard, it likely won’t be the last time he calls for pressure defense.

Friday night’s win represents Tabernacle’s sixth in a row. “We’re rolling a little bit. It always takes a while to catch up after football season,” said Grimes.

The Tabernacle Christian girls basketball team (17-1) scored 21 of the game’s first 23 points and rolled on to a emphatic 70-28 home win over Clay Friday night.

The Lady Torches overwhelmed their guests with a full-court defense, creating an abundance of turnovers, which transitioned into quick offense. Tabernacle took its first double-digit lead at 13-2 early on and ended the first quarter with a 30-4 advantage.

Freshman Gracie Howard worked inside for 18 points in only two quarters of action. The starting five, including her, were benched in the second half with a 50-4 cushion.

Junior Casey Bekah took full advantage of her second-half minutes, pouring in 18 points of her own. Senior Abbey Blackburn came through with 13 points for the home team and Gabby Spruil added eight points.

The Mortimer Jordan girls basketball team (15-6, 7-0 Class 5A, Area 11) locked up the regular season area championship Friday night with a 59-26 win over Hayden.

The Mortimer Jordan boys basketball team (11-11, 7-0 Class 5A, Area 11) also notched a lopsided area win over Hayden Friday, sending in a season-high 15 3-pointers on its way to an 85-48 victory.

Ronnie Wright scored 20 points for the Blue Devils to go with a double-double from Josh Burns (16 points and 10 rebounds). Christen Nelms scored 13 points and Nolan Dean chipped in with 12 points in the win.  

A cold third quarter doomed the Gardendale boys basketball team (14-7, 3-0 Class 6A, Area 11) Thursday night on the road. The Rockets eventually fell by a score of 48-44 at Clay-Chalkville.

Clayton Cunningham paced Gardendale with 15 points to go with 10 points from Shamarius Cook.

The Rockets get back to area play next Tuesday at Jackson-Olin.

The Gardendale girls basketball team (5-18, 0-3 Class 6A, Area 11) went to Clay-Chalkville for a 52-23 non-area loss Thursday night.

The ladies resume Area 11 play next Tuesday at Jackson-Olin.

The Fultondale boys basketball team (14-3, 4-1 Class 3A, Area 9) dropped its first are game of the season Tuesday night at Midfield, 76-52.

However, the Wildcats did rebound with a 62-54 league win over Locust Fork Friday. Jaylon Hicks and Camron Silmon teamed up with 19 points apiece for the home team. Josh Maston added 11 points of his own.