It’s time for the Elite 8 in Alabama high school boys basketball. Here are some predictions for this week’s matchups from Classes 7A-1A.
7A
Enterprise 63, Smiths Station 58
Spain Park 56, Huntsville 52
Baker 67, Theodore 58
Oak Mountain 54, James Clemens 52
Class 7A will likely bring at least three close Elite 8 matchups, each of which could make an argument for both teams as the favorite to win. As for the other game, Baker is the clear favorite entering a rematch of the Area 1 championship game, as the Hornets have won all three matchups with Theodore this season.
6A
McGill-Toolen 74, Spanish Fort 67
Park Crossing 58, Eufaula 67
Huffman 55, Mountain Brook 64
Scottsboro 70, Cullman 66
McGill-Toolen taking on Spanish Fort is arguably the top Elite 8 matchup in the entire state, while Mountain Brook and Eufaula will both likely be considered as the favorite going into their matchups. Scottsboro and Cullman will be close, with the game likely decided late in the fourth quarter.
5A
Carroll 53, Charles Henderson 67
UMS-Wright 55, Sipsey Valley 53
Ramsay 64, Guntersville 52
Mae Jemison 62, Lee-Huntsville 72
A rematch of the Area 16 finals between Lee-Huntsville and Mae Jemison will take center stage in 5A, while the three other games could all be close. As for the most intriguing of those three, UMS-Wright and Sipsey Valley you could argue is a toss-up.
4A
St. James 45, Booker. T Washington 57
Handley 58, Jacksonville 63
Brooks 74, Haleyville 68
The fourth Elite 8 matchup has yet to be finalized at the time of writing, but will consist of the winners of Escambia County/Holt and Williamson/Fultondale. As for the other matchups, Handley and Jacksonville will be one of the more-intriguing matchups of the Elite 8.
3A
Houston Academy 47, Dadeville 54
Cottage Hill Christian 74, Southside-Selma 59
Childersburg 50, Plainview 65
Winfield 60, Lauderdale County 64
Class 3A will be headlined by a matchup between Winfield and Lauderdale County, while Cottage Hill Christian and Plainview, you could argue, are clear favorites entering their Elite 8 matchups. Houston Academy and Dadeville is also an intriguing matchup, one that should be close throughout.
2A
Lanett 58, Long 53
Highland Home 49, Greene County 42
Midfield 70, Section 65
Sheffield 55, Mars Hill Bible 59
We are likely set for four close Elite 8 matchups in Class 2A, headlined by Midfield taking on section in one of the more-intriguing games of the week. As for the other three, you could make an argument for both teams as the arguably favorite entering the game.
1A
Loachapoka 48, Brantley 54
Faith Christian 49, Decatur Heritage 56
Similar to Class 4A previously, not all of the Elite 8 matchups are set at the time of writing, but the two that are should be two close matchups. As for the other two, the first matchup will be decided from the winner of McIntosh/Keith and Millry/Autaugaville, while the second will be decided from the winner of Pickens County/R.A. Hubbard and Meek/Covenant Christian.
