HANCEVILLE — Teague Whatley scored a game-high 22 points and Vinemont’s defense turned in an outstanding performance to lift the No. 5 Eagles to a 43-34 win over top-seeded Fairview at the Cullman County Basketball Tournament on Monday. 

Vinemont (17-7) advances to the championship game, where it’ll play No. 3 West Point or No. 7 Hanceville on Saturday at 4 p.m.

The Eagles possessed a 17-15 lead at halftime but never trailed in the second half — collecting several key steals and rebounds to stay in front of the Aggies — en route to the big victory.

Tanner Brown added 13 points for Vinemont.

Jack Brown (eight) and Peyton Bailey (seven) were the top scorers for Fairview. 

% Coach Speak: “The ball was bouncing our way tonight. We don’t always play this well. Luckily, we did tonight. Defense is what drives us like always. That’s how we’ve won all year. We’re very excited to be in the finals. The kids played well. I’ve got good kids. It’s nothing I did … they are just good ballplayers.” — Vinemont’s Lance Lay