It wasn’t the kind of start Pinson Valley expected in Wednesday’s game against Huntsville in a 256-205 Challenge game.

Huntsville used its size advantage, speeding to a 10-point second quarter lead before Pinson Valley settled in and sprinted to a 67-59 victory.

“We try to hang our hat on the defensive end,” said Pinson Valley coach Darrell Barber. “In the first quarter, we just had to adjust to their size. We’re not accustomed to seeing teams like that night in and night out.”

The 256-205 Challenge pits eight Huntsville area teams against eight Birmingham area teams over the next few weeks. In Monday games, Grissom beat Oak Mountain and Vestavia Hills beat Muscle Shoals.

Other games in the challenge are Haleyville at Midfield, Friday; Ramsay at Sparkman, Jan. 24; Shades Valley at Gadsden City, Jan. 28; Spain Park at James Clemens, Jan. 30 and Thompson at Florence, Feb. 2.

Class 7A eighth-ranked Huntsville (16-8) got eight first quarter points from 6-foot-9 junior Caleb Harrison and scored the first nine points of the second quarter before Class 6A top-ranked Pinson Valley (20-0) adjusted.

The Indians used an 18-5 run to tie the game 28-all at the half and continued the onslaught with a 21-11 third quarter advantage for a 46-36 lead heading into the final period.

Terry Coner Jr. keyed the third quarter run with 12 of his 18 points, adding 4 rebounds and 2 assists in the game.

“This was a good event,” Coner said. “I knew we were going to have to come out and show we are No. 1.

“Because defense wins ballgames. At halftime, (coach Barber) got on us about defense. Defense, defense. He harped on that the whole time.”

“I thought, credit them,” said Huntsville coach Christian Schweers. “When we were playing well and went up double digits, they never flinched and that is the sign of a championship team.”

Pinson Valley’s Caleb White led all scorers with 20 points. He also chipped in 4 rebounds and 2 assists.

“It was good competition,” White said. “Huntsville is a good team. They were a good challenge for us. It starts on the defensive end and the offensive is going to come. We just had to bounce back and get our energy up on defense.”

Barber commended White.

“He’s not afraid to fail and he’s not afraid of anything,” Barber said. “But sometimes it gets him in a bit of trouble and I don’t like to see that. I’m so hard on him because I want him to be great.”

Pinson Valley 6-6 freshmen Clyde Walters quietly had an impressive game with 11 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. He also played drew several Huntsville players on the defensive end.

Harrison led Huntsville with 16 points.

Pinson Valley plays Mortimer Jordan on Thursday while Huntsville takes on Mae Jemison on Friday.