Hoover, Spain Park boys post basketball wins; Lady Jags roll

Hoover Buccaneer boys basketball team beat Thompson 63-55 in high school basketball on Tuesday night. Hoover escaped Thompson’s comeback to pull out the Class 7A, Area 5 victory. After leading 20-9 in the first quarter, Thompson took a two-point lead into the fourth quarter.

Hoover (14-6, 3-0) was led Dylan Smith with 21 points and four assists. Austin Cherry had 16 points and eight rebounds and Leonard Wood added 12 and five.

Hoover will travel to Wenonah on Thursday, Jan. 15, and return home for a Friday game against Oak Mountain.

The Hoover Lady Bucs fell behind Thompson early and couldn’t recover, dropping a 50-47 loss to Thompson. Thompson hit six 3-pointers in the first quarter and saw its lead balloon to as many as 19 in the opening period. Hoover tightened up on defense and allowed just six and nine points in the second and third quarters, respectively. Hoover’s shortcoming, however, was mostly self-inflicted by way of 14 turnovers and missing double-digit free throws. Hoover had a crucial miscue late as its turned the ball over on a 5-second call on their own baseline.

The Spain Park boys basketball team squeezed past host Vestavia Hills 47-45 in high school basketball Tuesday night. Jamal Johnson scored 17 points and Malik Blanchard added 11 to lead the Jags (18-4, 2-1).

Spain Park’s Victoria Baldwin exploded for 32 points to lead the Lady Jaguars over Vestavia Hills 60-39 on Tuesday. Baldwin banged in eight 3-pointers. Skyla Knight added 12 points for the Lady Jags, who improved to 17-7 overall and 2-0 in area play.

The boys and girls teams will travel to Hewitt-Trussville for games Friday night, Jan. 16.