Krystle Johnson has seen plenty of talent at Hoover.

Johnson was a star on the 2001 Bucs state championship team when 2003 Miss Basketball Sydney Spencer was a sophomore. The Bucs also produced 2013 Miss Basketball Marqu’es Webb.

None match Reniya Kelly’s resume.

The all-time leading scorer in Hoover girls history, Kelly led the Bucs to their third straight Class 7A championship and fourth in the past five years on Saturday at the BJCC Legacy Arena with a 55-44 victory over Sparkman.

Kelly has been part of all four championships.

“She’s the best player in Hoover High School history,” Johnson said. “She’s the best basketball player in the state and has been for the last three years.”

MVP Kelly scored 25 points.

“This is really special for me,” Kelly said. “It’s my last year and my last game and it’s special to do it here in Birmingham for my team and my family.”

Sparkman hung tough after surviving Hoover’s opening volley. The top-ranked Bucs (35-1) ran to a 20-5 first quarter lead and 35-15 at the half.

The second-ranked Senators (26-9) chipped away, closing the gap to 51-43 on two free throws by Hannah Horton with 1:35 left, but could get no closer.

“The biggest thing was some of our mistakes,” said Sparkman coach Jarvis Wilson. “We came out with a slow start. With a team of this magnitude, you cannot have slow starts. They did a great job slowing us down in the transition. They did a wonderful job at that point of the game. Hats off to them.”

Star of the Game: MVP Hoover’s Reniya Kelly scored 25 points on 8-of-21 shooting, including 5 of 7 from 3-point range, with 4-of-4 free throws, adding six rebounds and three steals.

Stat sheet: Hoover – Layla Etchison 20 points, two rebounds and three steals.

Sparkman – Nylaa Fuller 12 points, four rebounds; Kennedy Langham eight points, three rebounds.

By the numbers: Hoover – Shot 18-of-42 (42.9 percent) field goals, 6-of-13 3-pointers, 13-of-15 free throws, 33 rebounds, seven assists, nine steals.

Sparkman – Shot 11-of-42 (26.2 percent) field goals, 4-of-19 3-pointers, 18-of-27 free throws, 29 rebounds, five assists, five steals.

They said it: “I’m on cloud nine right now. It’s very bittersweet. It’s my last ride. To go out with them— my teammates, my coaching staff — it means so much. It all paid off, the hard work, the sweat, the tears all paid off. I’m just so blessed to be here.” – Hoover’s Reniya Kelly

“This feeling never gets old because of the work that they put in to get to this stage. It’s not something that you take for granted. Being able to get this for our girls means the world. Through the years it never gets old. I never forget. I remember the feelings down to the jersey we were wearing.” – Hoover coach Krystle Johnson

“First off, I would like to say thank you to these young ladies for a good effort today and a good effort all season. I’m very proud of them. This program was resurrected this season. We’re going to be back and I’m proud to have the opportunity to bring them back. We had a slow start and just never got back into the game. The fight of these young ladies can’t be questioned. They did a wonderful job and I’m very proud of them.” – Sparkman coach Jarvis Wilson.

Did you know? Hoover coach Krystle Johnson lets a senior pick fingernail polish color for the championship. Reniya Kelly chose gold for the ring finger.