GDW Analysis on the AHSAA Final Four:
BIRMINGHAM: Champions from the AHSAA Northwest Regional at Wallace State are now setting their sights on a huge week of hoops from Legacy Arena at the BJCC.
Six of the seven winners enter the Final Four as a ranked team in their class. Only the team from the largest group, Class 7A, is not ranked.
None of the teams who won a regional last week are ranked 1st. But they made their point in the 3rd stage of the playoffs, going from the Sweet 16 to the Elite 8 and now "Birmingham Bound."
Gameday Weekly looks at the winner from each class of the NW Regional. The small schools start the semifinal round Monday, the middle class Tuesday, the large group on Wednesday and Thursday.
Class 1A - Hubbertville:
The Lions outscored Meek in the finals 69 to 56. They are 24 & 5 and 7th in the final poll.
Hubbertville meets No. 8 Brantley at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.
Class 2A - Decatur Heritage:
Heritage knocked off Tanner 68 to 50 to claim the regional title. The Eagles have 21 wins out of 29 games, ranked 5th in 2A play. The Eagles play No. 1 Providence Christian Monday 4:30 p.m.
Class 3A - Mars Hill Bible:
Up to 3A this season, Mars Hill sent home Rogers by a 55 to 35 defeat in the regional final.
Mars Hill has 19 wins against 5 losses, a No. 8 ranking. The Panthers get 5th ranked Houston Academy Tuesday 10:30 a.m. at the BJCC.
Class 4A - Brooks:
With 24 wins and 8 losses, Brooks is 8th in the state in 4A. The Lions claimed a 63 to 54 victory over West Morgan in the final. The Lions have No. 5 Jackson to face Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.
Class 5A - Guntersville:
Coming to the Northwest Region this season, Guntersville grabbed the 5A title in knocking off Brewer 64 to 53.
Guntersville has won 22 out of 27 games, ranked 8th in the poll. The Wildcats meet Williamson, 2nd ranked in the poll at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Class 6A - Pinson Valley:
A short drive from Pinson to Birmingham is what the Indians await Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. vs. unranked McGill Toolen from Mobile.
Pinson finished 4th in the 6A poll, McGill comes to the Final Four unranked.
Class 7A - Florence:
Florence is unranked, but considered a solid 7A ball club. The Falcons have 25 wins over 8 losses, defeating Hillcrest Tuscaloosa in the regional championship 64 to 53.
The opponent is No. 5 Fairhope from the South Region.
Game time is Thursday 10:30 a.m. at the BJCC.
Photo of Bryant James (13) of the Florence Falcons at the AHSAAA Northwest Regional. James was selected the 7A MVP.
Photo courtesy of the Times Daily.
