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Photo by Erin Nelson
Hoover’s Colby Carter (23) and Hoover’s Chip Culpepper (4) guard Oak Mountain’s Noah Young (2) as Young shoots a layup in the AHSAA Class 7A Northwest Regional final at Tom Drake Coliseum at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. The Eagles defeated the Bucs 43-30 to advance to the State semi-final game against Auburn on Tuesday, March 2 at Bartow Arena in Birmingham. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Hoover’s Colby Carter (23) and Hoover’s Chip Culpepper (4) guard Oak Mountain’s Noah Young (2) as Young shoots a layup in the AHSAA Class 7A Northwest Regional final at Tom Drake Coliseum at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. The Eagles defeated the Bucs 43-30 to advance to the State semi-final game against Auburn on Tuesday, March 2 at Bartow Arena in Birmingham. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Hoover’s Colby Carter (23) dribbles the ball guarded by Oak Mountain’s Wilder Evers (4) in the AHSAA Class 7A Northwest Regional final at Tom Drake Coliseum at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. The Eagles defeated the Bucs 43-30 to advance to the State semi-final game against Auburn on Tuesday, March 2 at Bartow Arena in Birmingham. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Oak Mountain’s Noah Young (2) shoots a layup guarded by Hoover’s Brodin Grady (11) in the AHSAA Class 7A Northwest Regional final at Tom Drake Coliseum at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. The Eagles defeated the Bucs 43-30 to advance to the State semi-final game against Auburn on Tuesday, March 2 at Bartow Arena in Birmingham. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
The Hoover student section rallies for the Bucs in the AHSAA Class 7A Northwest Regional final against Oak Mountain at Tom Drake Coliseum at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. in the State semi-final on Tuesday, March 2 at Bartow Arena in Birmingham. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Oak Mountain’s Will Shaver (25) blocks a shot by Hoover’s Brodin Grady (11) in the AHSAA Class 7A Northwest Regional final at Tom Drake Coliseum at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. The Eagles defeated the Bucs 43-30 to advance to the State semi-final game against Auburn on Tuesday, March 2 at Bartow Arena in Birmingham. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Oak Mountain’s Noah Young (2) shoots for 3-points guarded by Hoover’s Colby Carter (23) in the AHSAA Class 7A Northwest Regional final at Tom Drake Coliseum at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. The Eagles defeated the Bucs 43-30 to advance to the State semi-final game against Auburn on Tuesday, March 2 at Bartow Arena in Birmingham. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Oak Mountain’s Wilder Evers (4) attempts to shoot a three-pointer guarded by Hoover’s Austin Montgomery (20) as the first quarter buzzer sounds in the AHSAA Class 7A Northwest Regional final at Tom Drake Coliseum at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. The Eagles defeated the Bucs 43-30 to advance to the State semi-final game against Auburn on Tuesday, March 2 at Bartow Arena in Birmingham. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Oak Mountain’s Evan Smith (1) shoots a layup guarded by Hoover’s DJ Fairley (1) in the AHSAA Class 7A Northwest Regional final at Tom Drake Coliseum at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. The Eagles defeated the Bucs 43-30 to advance to the State semi-final game against Auburn on Tuesday, March 2 at Bartow Arena in Birmingham. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Hoover head coach Scott Ware talks with the Bucs during a timeout in the AHSAA Class 7A Northwest Regional final against Oak Mountain at Tom Drake Coliseum at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. The Bucs fell to the Eagles 43-30. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Oak Mountain’s Evan Smith (1) shoots a layup guarded by Hoover’s DJ Fairley (1) in the AHSAA Class 7A Northwest Regional final at Tom Drake Coliseum at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. The Eagles defeated the Bucs 43-30 to advance to the State semi-final game against Auburn on Tuesday, March 2 at Bartow Arena in Birmingham. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Hoover’s Parker Williams (5) guards Oak Mountain’s Wilder Evers (4) in the AHSAA Class 7A Northwest Regional final at Tom Drake Coliseum at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. The Eagles defeated the Bucs 43-30 to advance to the State semi-final game against Auburn on Tuesday, March 2 at Bartow Arena in Birmingham. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Hoover head coach Scott Ware calls the play in the AHSAA Class 7A Northwest Regional final at Tom Drake Coliseum at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. The Eagles defeated the Bucs 43-30 to advance to the State semi-final game against Auburn on Tuesday, March 2 at Bartow Arena in Birmingham. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Hoover’s Austin Montgomery (20) guards Oak Mountain’s Evan Smith (1) in the AHSAA Class 7A Northwest Regional final at Tom Drake Coliseum at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. The Eagles defeated the Bucs 43-30 to advance to the State semi-final game against Auburn on Tuesday, March 2 at Bartow Arena in Birmingham. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Oak Mountain’s Noah Young (2) shoots a layup guarded by Hoover’s Brodin Grady (11) and Hoover’s Austin Montgomery (20) in the AHSAA Class 7A Northwest Regional final at Tom Drake Coliseum at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. The Eagles defeated the Bucs 43-30 to advance to the State semi-final game against Auburn on Tuesday, March 2 at Bartow Arena in Birmingham. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Oak Mountain’s Evan Smith (1) dribbles the ball towards the goal guarded by Hoover’s Michael Scott Myers (3) in the AHSAA Class 7A Northwest Regional final at Tom Drake Coliseum at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. The Eagles defeated the Bucs 43-30 to advance to the State semi-final game against Auburn on Tuesday, March 2 at Bartow Arena in Birmingham. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Hoover head coach Scott Ware reacts on the sideline as the Bucs face Oak Mountain in the AHSAA Class 7A Northwest Regional final at Tom Drake Coliseum at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. in the State semi-final on Tuesday, March 2 at Bartow Arena in Birmingham. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Oak Mountain’s Evan Smith (1) dribbles the ball towards the goal guarded by Hoover’s Austin Montgomery (20) in the AHSAA Class 7A Northwest Regional final at Tom Drake Coliseum at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. The Eagles defeated the Bucs 43-30 to advance to the State semi-final game against Auburn on Tuesday, March 2 at Bartow Arena in Birmingham. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Hoover’s Colby Carter (23) blocks a shot by Oak Mountain’s Noah Young (2) in the AHSAA Class 7A Northwest Regional final at Tom Drake Coliseum at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. The Eagles defeated the Bucs 43-30 to advance to the State semi-final game against Auburn on Tuesday, March 2 at Bartow Arena in Birmingham. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Oak Mountain’s Noah Young (2) shoots a layup guarded by Hoover’s Brodin Grady (11) and Hoover’s Austin Montgomery (20) in the AHSAA Class 7A Northwest Regional final at Tom Drake Coliseum at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. The Eagles defeated the Bucs 43-30 to advance to the State semi-final game against Auburn on Tuesday, March 2 at Bartow Arena in Birmingham. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Hoover’s Brodin Grady (11) shoots a layup guarded by Oak Mountain’s Wilder Evers (4) and Oak Mountain’s Will Shaver (25) in the AHSAA Class 7A Northwest Regional final at Tom Drake Coliseum at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. The Eagles defeated the Bucs 43-30 to advance to the State semi-final game against Auburn on Tuesday, March 2 at Bartow Arena in Birmingham. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Hoover’s Austin Montgomery (20) guards Oak Mountain’s Evan Smith (1) in the AHSAA Class 7A Northwest Regional final at Tom Drake Coliseum at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. The Eagles defeated the Bucs 43-30 to advance to the State semi-final game against Auburn on Tuesday, March 2 at Bartow Arena in Birmingham. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Hoover’s Chip Culpepper (4) moves towards the goal guarded by Oak Mountain’s Brady Dunn (3) in the AHSAA Class 7A Northwest Regional final at Tom Drake Coliseum at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. The Eagles defeated the Bucs 43-30 to advance to the State semi-final game against Auburn on Tuesday, March 2 at Bartow Arena in Birmingham. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Hoover’s Chip Culpepper (4) moves towards the goal guarded by Oak Mountain’s Brady Dunn (3) in the AHSAA Class 7A Northwest Regional final at Tom Drake Coliseum at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. The Eagles defeated the Bucs 43-30 to advance to the State semi-final game against Auburn on Tuesday, March 2 at Bartow Arena in Birmingham. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Oak Mountain’s Noah Young (2) shoots a layup guarded by Hoover’s Brodin Grady (11) in the AHSAA Class 7A Northwest Regional final at Tom Drake Coliseum at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. The Eagles defeated the Bucs 43-30 to advance to the State semi-final game against Auburn on Tuesday, March 2 at Bartow Arena in Birmingham. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Oak Mountain’s Noah Young (2) rebounds the ball in the AHSAA Class 7A Northwest Regional final at Tom Drake Coliseum at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. The Eagles defeated the Bucs 43-30 to advance to the State semi-final game against Auburn on Tuesday, March 2 at Bartow Arena in Birmingham. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Hoover’s Colby Carter (23) dribbles the ball as he moves towards the goal in the AHSAA Class 7A Northwest Regional final against Oak Mountain at Tom Drake Coliseum at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. in the State semi-final on Tuesday, March 2 at Bartow Arena in Birmingham. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Oak Mountain’s Noah Young (2) moves towards the goal to shoot a layup guarded by Hoover’s Chip Culpepper (4) in the AHSAA Class 7A Northwest Regional final at Tom Drake Coliseum at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. The Eagles defeated the Bucs 43-30 to advance to the State semi-final game against Auburn on Tuesday, March 2 at Bartow Arena in Birmingham. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Oak Mountain’s Will Shaver (25) moves towards the goal guarded by Hoover’s Brodin Grady (11) in the AHSAA Class 7A Northwest Regional final at Tom Drake Coliseum at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. The Eagles defeated the Bucs 43-30 to advance to the State semi-final game against Auburn on Tuesday, March 2 at Bartow Arena in Birmingham. Photo by Erin Nelson.
HANCEVILLE – Over a two-minute stretch at the beginning of the fourth quarter, the Eagles turned the game on its heel.
Oak Mountain High School’s boys basketball team ballooned its lead from three to 11 with an 8-0 burst at the start of the fourth quarter and used that momentum to secure a 43-30 win over Hoover on Thursday in the Class 7A Northwest Regional final at Wallace State Community College.
The Eagles now advance to their second straight state final four and will face Auburn next Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. at UAB’s Bartow Arena.
Wilder Evers knocked down a 3-pointer to begin the fourth quarter. Noah Young converted a layup moments later, and Brady Dunn knocked down a big 3 of his own to make it 31-20 with 5:41 to play.
But it was holding Hoover scoreless for the first three minutes of the period that impressed Oak Mountain coach Chris Love the most.
“The defensive end did it for us,” he said. “The kids have really bought in. We’re athletic and long and can disrupt people on that end of the floor.”
It was the fourth time the two teams had played this season, with Hoover winning two of the previous three. Both teams knew the other’s move every step of the way and the difficulty for both teams to score throughout reflected that.
“We knew if both teams show up to play, it’s going to be like this,” Hoover head coach Scott Ware said. “Neither team was trying to play slow. It just came down to who executed, which they did.”
Noah Young posted a double-double to lead Oak Mountain (22-9) with 13 points and 10 rebounds on the day.
“It’s a big accomplishment. It’s what we planned on doing,” he said of returning to the final four, where the Eagles fell to eventual champion Lee-Montgomery in the semifinals last year.
Despite high expectations entering the season, it took Oak Mountain a few months to really find its footing. Back-to-back losses to begin area play in January likely had people doubting, but the Eagles have lost just once since (to Hoover in the area tournament final).
“Our kids have never wavered,” Love said. “We struggled early in the year. It took us awhile. But these kids are special. They’re great kids. They wanted this moment again.”
After a slow first quarter, Oak Mountain held an 8-4 lead. Hoover got the better end of the second period and took a 16-12 lead into the half. Oak Mountain recaptured the lead heading into the fourth, then put the game away.
Evan Smith finished the day with 12 points, five rebounds and four assists. Colby Carter led Hoover with 11 points.
Hoover finishes Ware’s first season as head coach with a 20-9 record.
Oak Mountain hopes its second trip to the final four will be different this time. Love said his team looked nervous in the semifinal game last year, but the experience should pay dividends this time around for a team that returned plenty of pieces from that group.
“That can do nothing but help us,” Love said. “They’re not going to back down from anything.”
