The Class 6A defending state champion Buckhorn boys basketball team has turned from the hunter to the hunted after Its playoff run last season and is in the business of taking everyone’s best shots this year.

The top-ranked Bucks got defensive early, but exploded in the second period in cruising to a 62-37 victory over No. 7 Cullman in Tuesday’s Northwest Regional final at Wallace State’s Traditions Bank Arena in Hanceville.

Buckhorn (27-5) got off to a rough start, making only 1-of-11 field goals in the opening period, and fell behind 8-0 before Jordan Lindsey converted an and-1 opportunity with 1:33 left in the quarter.

“We played really good defense in the first quarter,” Buckhorn coach Patrick Harding said. “We guarded as good as we possibly could guard. They got a few put-backs and, offensively, we settled for shots early. The first quarter was a grind and a lot of that had to do with Cullman.”

Caleb Holt and Jackson Ramsey combined on a 5-0 spurt to open the second period and, following a layup from Jake Dorough for Cullman’s only bucket of the quarter, went on a 19-0 run to close out the first half. Frederick Derrick scored 10 straight points to ignite the scoring barrage, followed by Holt with 7 points, and Jeremiah Wilson capped the second quarter on a dunk to give the Bucks a 27-10 lead entering the halftime break.

Ramsey splashed in his second triple to open the third period and the Bearcats were never able to string consecutive baskets until the final minute of the quarter, when Sam Duskin nailed back-to-back 3-pointers to trim the deficit to 23 points.

Cullman (23-9) fell behind as many as 33 points in the final quarter as the Bucks went on a 12-2 run midway through the period. The Bearcats made a valiant effort on a late 10-0 run, but could not overcome Buckhorn’s dominant second quarter.

Did you know? Buckhorn advances to its second straight state final four, seventh overall, and seeks to repeat as Class 6A champions. The Bucks last made consecutive trips in the 1990 and 1991 seasons.

By the numbers: Despite its 1-for-11 first quarter, Buckhorn finished shooting 56.8 percent overall while hitting 24-of-33 field goals in the last three quarters. The Bucks split the battle of the boards with Cullman, grabbing 24 rebounds each, and forced 14 turnovers.

Stat sheet: Buckhorn – Holt led the way with a game-high 22 points on 10-of-14 shooting, including a 2-of-5 mark on 3-pointers, and Derrick finished with 15 points on 6-of-10 from the field and 3-of-6 from long range, adding 4 assists and 2 steals. Wilson had 9 points, 2 boards and 3 assists, and Ramsey put up 6 points. Lindsey contributed 3 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists. Cullman – Dorough finished with a team-high 19 points on 6-of-12 shooting, followed by Duskin with 11 points and 5 rebounds. Colton Echols had 4 points and 3 rebounds, and Kase Nixon grabbed 6 rebounds and 3 steals.

All-Tournament Team: Caleb Holt was named regional MVP and teammates Frederick Derrick and Jeremiah Wilson were selected to the all-tournament team, along with Cullman’s Colton Echols and Sam Duskin and Clay-Chalkville’s Devon McKinnon.

Coachspeak: “They were still doing what they had planned, but we got a few deflections. For us, our defense is our offense. If we can get a deflection or a good rebound, these guys are really good in transition. And to be honest, Fred (Derrick) got going and went on a 10-0 run by himself.” – Buckhorn’s Patrick Harding

“They (senior class) mean the world to me. You can talk about the stats – 92 wins over the course of four years, a state championship, the first final four since 1932, two elite eights, three area tournament championships in a row and all-time winningest class in Cullman basketball history – but if that’s all you talk about with these guys, you’re missing the big picture.” – Cullman’s Stu Stuedeman

They said it: “I’m used to playing in front of a lot of college coaches during AAU. It was pretty cool having Bruce there. No pressure, man.” – Caleb Holt on playing in front of Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl, who was at the game

“It felt good.” – Frederick Derrick, a man of few words, on his personal 10-0 run in the second quarter

What’s next? Buckhorn advances to face No. 8 Helena in a Class 6A state semifinal at 10:30 a.m. on Feb. 28, at BJCC’s Legacy Arena in Birmingham.