Photo courtesy of Barry Stephenson
Hoover, Spain Park Basketball
The Hoover bench is shown in a game against Spain Park earlier this season.
Hoover clinched a spot in the Class 7A, Area 5 Tournament final with a 65-61 win over Thompson on Thursday night, in the tournament held at Oak Mountain High School.
The Bucs held the lead throughout the first half, but surrendered it to Thompson in the third quarter, as the Warriors took a four-point edge into the fourth quarter.
A big fourth-quarter run allowed Hoover to overtake Thompson and hold on for the win.
Jamari Blackmon scored 20 points to lead the Bucs, who clinched a spot in the regional round of the state playoffs with the victory.
Kevy Eason added 19 points and Johnathan Postell chipped in 14 for Hoover.
Thompson was led by Michael Thompson's 23 points.
Hoover will face Oak Mountain for the area tournament title on Saturday at 7 p.m.