Pinson Valley Comes Home With State Championship

BIRMINGHAM, AL - Pinson Valley is simply dominated Class 6A sports in Alabama. After the streamers from the state football championship parade were just put away after the Indians state football championship, the celebration in Pinson can continue after the boys basketball team captured the 6A state championship Saturday.

Pinson Valley’ saved their best for the last eight minutes Saturday afternoon, outscoring defending Class 6A state champion Hazel Green 21-5 in the final quarter to capture a 58-44 come-from-behind victory in the 2019 AHSAA Class 6A state boys’ basketball finals at the BJCC Legacy Arena.

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Coach Darrell Barber’s Indians (24-9) limited the Wolverines (23-11) to just seven shot attempts and two field goals in the quarter and nailed three 3-pointers to take control down the stretch. Class 6A state tourney MVP Kam Woods, 6-foot junior guard, sank two of the treys, finishing with four on the game and had 25 points to pace Pinson. He also had five steals and was 3-of-4 at the foul line.

Ga’Quincy “Koolaid” McKinstry added 15 points and five rebounds and Geordon Pollard scored 11 points and pulled down six rebounds. He also blocked two shots. Carver, coached by J.J. Jackson, was led by Jaykwon Walton’s 14 points and six rebounds. Centarrio Hinson added 10 points on a 5-for-5 shooting performance. Jereme Robinson had nine points and nine rebounds and Juwon Gaston cleared eight boards.

PVHS became the first school to win both championships in the same school year Lanett did it in 2017-18 in Class 2A. Elba, Madison Academy and Hoover each swept both crowns in the 2014-15 school year in Classes 2A, 3A and Class 6A, respectively. Sidney Lanier was the first to sweep both titles, winning the 1966 Class 4A football championship and the state basketball title in 1967. Barber’s championship was his first at Pinson and his third overall. He coached Midfield to two state boys’ titles.