By SETH HAGAN | For the Reporter

NORTH SHELBY – The Oak Mountain girls basketball team gave No. 1 ranked Hoover a good run in the first half, but the Bucs proved to be too much the rest of the way and took the road win Tuesday, Jan 8, with a 41-25 result.

A rough and tumble first quarter kept the Eagles in it as both teams traded baskets for the entire period. The Eagles and Bucs combined to force 15 turnovers and grabbed 10 offensive rebounds.

Hoover’s press was particularly effective early on. With opportunities a plenty, the teams entered the second quarter with the contest tight at 11-9 Hoover.

Neither team was able to score more than four points in a row before halftime. Abi Brown kept the Eagles close with two 3-pointers while Aniya Hubbard scored all seven of her points in the first half to pace the Buccaneers.

Despite their lack of size Hoover rallied to the ball well whenever Oak Mountain tried to find their center, Hannah Edwards, and limited her effectiveness in the paint.

Hoover also grabbed another five offensive rebounds in the quarter giving them 10 in the half—most chasing down missed shots on the perimeter.

The score went back-and-forth until the second buzzer sounded with Hoover increasing its lead slightly to 22-16. The Bucs turned up the defensive intensity again coming out of the half and used it to pull away from the Eagles for good.

Their relentless press clearly flustered the Eagles and began to wear on them heavily giving up 10 turnovers in the period. Oak Mountain wasn’t able to score until nearly six minutes in with Emily Cruce’s two free throws, but by then Hoover had scored 12 in a row and held a 34-18 lead.

The Bucs also found their touch from long range hitting three treys. Taniyah Smith’s layup with seconds to spare gave the Eagles their only field goal of the third quarter.

The conclusion came quickly as both teams knocked down two field goals in the fourth quarter. Abi Brown led the Eagles with nine points in the game while Kailey Rory added eight.

Hoover was led by Jada Knight who finished with 12 points. Oak Mountain (11-8, 0-1) will try and bounce back in area play as they head out on the road this Friday, Jan 11, to take on Tuscaloosa County. The game will tip off at 6 p.m.