Spain Park wins exciting contest over Hoover

In a contest that featured 11 lead changes, Spain Park pulled away from crosstown rival Hoover and won, 76-70, on Friday night at Hoover High School.

The game was played at a frenetic pace for the first three quarters, but the game came to a grinding halt in the final period. No field goals were made in the last several minutes, as the end of the game turned into a free throw competition.

Spain Park gradually pulled away after a Jamari Blackmon bucket pulled the Bucs to within one at the start of the fourth quarter. 

"Hoover is a good team and a big rival," Jags point guard Jamal Johnson said. "We played good, got out in transition, and got everybody involved. It was a good win for us."

Johnson was one of three Jags with dominant performances. He wrapped up his evening with 25 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists.

The start of the game was scintillating, as the teams exited the first period tied at 16. The Jags nudged ahead and took a five-point lead into the halftime.

That lead was erased right out of the gates in the second half, as the Bucs came out firing, nailing four straight three-pointers -- one each from Justin Rumph, Kevy Eason, Cam Jones, and Wes Banks -- to start the third quarter. Jones and Eason each made additional threes later in the quarter to give the Bucs the lead.

Unfortunately for the Bucs, the shots dried up down the stretch, as Spain Park began to adjust.

"We made sure we switched on the screens so we could get out on the shooters quicker," Johnson said.

The scoring effort was more spread out for Hoover, as Jamari Blackmon led the way with 16 points, with nine of them coming on fourth quarter free throws. Eason ended up with ten points, Rumph, Banks, and Johnathan Postell with nine, and Jones with seven.

Justin Brown scored two baskets, including a dunk, to end the third quarter on a high for the Jags and with a lead they would not relinquish. Brown made all six of his shot attempts on the night, scoring 20 points.

The Jags made it a focal point to get big man Austin Wiley the ball early and often, and he produced. He scored eight points in the opening period and finished with a double-double of 25 points and 14 boards.

Spain Park needed to rebound after a loss earlier in the week.

"Tough loss against Oak Mountain. We needed a key victory so we could start our rise towards the playoffs," Johnson said.

Spain Park is in action again on Saturday, as they participate in the Border Wars Showcase at Mountain Brook High School. Hoover's next contest is on Feb. 2, at home against Etowah in what will be Senior Night.