BIRMINGHAM – The Hoover Bucs made history on Saturday, sweeping the Class 7A state basketball championships with wins by both the girls and boys teams.
The Hoover boys team, led by sophomore stars Salim London and DeWayne Brown, defeated Central-Phenix City 84-66 to capture their first state title since 2015. London scored a game-high 34 points while Brown recorded a double-double with 24 points and 13 rebounds, to go along with 6 blocks.
“These guys have been carrying us all year,” said Hoover coach Scott Ware. “They’re really, really good players and we’re blessed to have them on our side.”
It marked the first time a Birmingham-area school swept both basketball titles since Ramsay in 2006. Hoover became just the eighth team in AHSAA history to accomplish the feat.
Central-Phenix City, coached by Charles Burkett, was making its first appearance in the state final. The Red Devils were led by sophomore Jacoby Hill, who scored 37 points on 11-of-14 free throws and 4 three-pointers.
“Jacoby is a true basketball player,” said Burkett. “He doesn’t go point hunting. He makes the extra pass when needed. He’s a scorer but (also) a basketball player.”
Central had no answer inside for the Bucs, who held a commanding 41-21 edge in rebounding. Hoover scored 56 points in the paint compared to just 16 for the Red Devils.
“We just ran out of gas,” Burkett said.
In addition to London and Brown, Hoover got a double-double from Johnathan Caicedo (8 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists). Que Billingsley recorded 13 points, 3 steals and 2 assists for Central.
London was named tournament MVP, while Brown and Caicedo made the all-tournament team for Hoover. Hill and Billingsley represented Central on the all-tourney squad, along with Spain Park’s Sam Wright.
The Bucs completed a rare double, joining the Hoover girls as state champs after they won their third straight earlier in the day. It marked the first basketball sweep for Hoover since the last time the Bucs pulled it off in 2011.