Bucs wrestlers have a ball in mat win over Jags

Hoover High’s wrestling program, now led by Jacob Gaydosh, has a rich tradition dating back to the Berry High days when Duke Chimento ruled. The Bucs won state championships in 1972, and had several runner-up teams before the Bucs picked up crowns in 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2010.

One of Chimento’s hobbies and passions was bowling. The wrestling match between and Hoover High and Spain Park High is known as “The Battle for the Ball.”  The ball is a bowling ball, and it is the trophy that goes to the winner of the match.  The “Ball” is a traveling trophy -- it stays with the school that wins the match.

 Hoover claimed this season’s Battle for the Ball, dominating Spain Park 70-9. Here are the complete results of the championship at each weight class:

106: Patterson Huff (HOOV) over Zac Evans (SPH) (Fall 1:56) 

113: Gage Camp (HOOV) over Emmanuel Thuo (SPH) (Fall 0:20) 

120: Larry Wallace (HOOV) over Sam Shroyer (SPH) (Fall 5:32) 

126: Clay Christian (SPH) over Jacob Brady (HOOV) (Fall 1:15) 

132: Jarrett Anthony (HOOV) over (SPH) (For.) 

138: Connor Metcalf (HOOV) over (SPH) (For.) 

145: Randy Jenkins (HOOV) over Jacob Parker (SPH) (Fall 1:05) 

152: Jackson Hall (HOOV) over Leon Strong (SPH) (MD 12-3) 

160: Lake Williams (HOOV) over Jack Ingram (SPH) (Fall 2:37) 

170: Brandon Sirico (HOOV) over (SPH) (For.) 

182: Drew Addison (HOOV) over Michael Avery (SPH) (Fall 1:28) 

195: Roman Cooper (HOOV) over (SPH) (For.) 

220: Kevin McClure (SPH) over Bret Winters (HOOV) (Dec 9-2) 

285: Gavin Jackson (HOOV) over Taylor Cox (SPH) (Fall 0:59)

Earlier, the Hoover Bucs finished third at the Scott Rorher Invitational Tournament at Hoover. Senior Jackson Hall won the 154 pound championship, defeating Cameron Mire of Catholic High School (La.) in a 6-4 decision along with receiving the most outstanding wrestler award. Sophomore Patterson Huff (108 pounds) and junior Bret Winters (220 pounds) placed second. Other placers were Gage Camp (fourth, 115), Corwin Russell (fourth, 128), Jarrett Anthony (third, 134), D’Angelo Dewitt (fifth, 170) and Gavin Jackson (fifth, 287).

Hoover also posted wins over Hewitt-Trussville 42-36, Tuscaloosa County 46-32 and Smiths Station 32-30. Against Hewitt, Hoover used a string of middleweight pins and a pair of late heavyweight victories en route to a victory. Winners for Hoover were Larry Wallace (120), Jarrett Anthony (132), Connor Metcalf (138), Randy Jenkins (145), Jackson Hall (152), Lake Williams (160),

Bret Winters (220), and Kelsie Sudbury (285).

In the win over the Wildcats, champions were Patterson Huff (106), Larry Wallace (120), Jarrett Anthony (132), Connor Metcalf (138), Randy Jenkins (145), Jackson Hall (152), Lake Williams (160), Bret Winters (220). 

Hoover’s win over Smiths Station was a tight match that was not decided until the final bout. Smiths Station got out to an early lead with pins in the heavier weights until Gavin Jackson sparked a comeback. Match points went back and forth during the evening. Sophomore Randy Jenkins of Hoover and Kaleb Fonetnot of Smiths Station provided the most exciting bout with an action-packed high-speed battle that got the crowd on its feet. Hoover winners included Patterson Huff (106), Gage Camp (113), Jarrett Anthony (132), Randy Jenkins (145), Jackson Hall (152) and Gavin Jackson (285).

The Bucs were to close the regular season with a match vs. Vestavia Hills on Jan. 29 before the Super Sectionals on Feb. 6. The State Tournament is Feb. 13 at Birmingham CrossPlex.