With Wiley back, Spain Park gets payback

Spain Park knocked off top-ranked Mountain Brook 57-49 in a rematch of a 20-point Jags’ loss earlier this season.

The Jaguars, ranked fifth in the latest ASWA poll, played the first game without 6-foot-9 center Austin Wiley, who was sick. This time, it was Wiley who made the Spartans ill, scoring 22 points and dominating inside.

Backing Wiley’s effort was Jamal Johnson with 16 points and Malik Blanchard with 11 points.

Mountain Brook (19-5) was led by Jack Kline’s 15 points. The Spartans made nine of 35 shots from 3-point range, just 26 percent.

Spain Park led 33-25 at the half.

The Jaguars (21-3, 4-1) and the Spartans (19-5, 4-1) are now tied for the Area 6 lead. If both teams win their final area game on Friday night, then a coin flip will determine which school hosts the area tournament. Mountain Brook will host Hewitt-Trussville while Spain Park hosts Vestavia Hills.

The Spain Park wrestling team will host Vestavia Hills and Central-Phoenix City on Thursday, Jan. 22, at 5 p.m. for Senior Night. The Jags will honor their two two senior wrestlers, Leon Strong and Kevin McClure.

Hoover's boys clinched the Class 7A, Area 5 regular-season title Tuesday night, beating Tuscaloosa County 78-73 in overtime. The eighth-ranked Bucs (18-6, 5-0) were led by Austin Cherry and Dylan Smith, who scored 19 points apiece. Leonard Wood had 15 points and six steals and Maurice Brown added 12 points.