The Hoover boys basketball team may be a few seasons behind its counterpart girls’ three-time defending champs as far as consecutive title streaks go, but it is well on the way after the fourth-ranked Bucs staved off a late surge to seal a 65-49 victory over No. 2 Austin in Wednesday’s Class 7A Northwest Regional boys semifinal at Wallace State’s Traditions Bank Arena in Hanceville.

“Basketball is a game of runs, we made some and they made some,” said Hoover coach Scott Ware, whose squad won the 2022-23 title last season. “These guys have been through it. We went through it last year and we’ve been in all kinds of environments, traveled all over the country, and we have the ultimate trust in our team.”

Hoover (27-3) ran out to a 6-2 lead to open the first period and DeWayne Brown closed out the quarter on a personal 6-0 run to grab an 11-4 advantage leading into the second period.

Austin’s Jordan Johnson converted a layup plus the and-1 opportunity to cut the lead down to 4 points early in the second, but Elijah Thomas dropped in a 3-pointer to ignite a 14-4 closing run that was capped with 3-pointers from Austin Dudley and Seneca Robinson.

The Bucs were able to build as much as a 17-point lead, 44-27, with 3:13 remaining in the third period before a 3-pointer from Austin’s Caleb Fletcher jumpstarted a 9-0 run the Black Bears used to cut the lead down to 44-36 entering the final quarter.

Second-ranked Austin (27-6) quickly went back down by double digits and never managed to cut deeper into the Hoover advantage in being outscored 19-13 in the final quarter. The Bears miss out on making a regional final with its last such appearance in the 2018 season.

Did you know? Hoover advances to its ninth regional final in program history while seeking a second straight state title and third overall.

By the numbers: Hoover struggled from the field to open the game but finished 50 percent overall and 18-of-26 at the foul line. The Bucs were plus-2 in the rebounding battle and held Austin to 37 percent shooting while forcing 12 turnovers.

Stat sheet: Hoover – London led the Bucs with a game-high 20 points on 6-of-11 shooting, along with 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals, and Brown finished with 14 points, 8 rebounds and 2 steals. Fairley added 13 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists, and Robinson had 7 points and 3 rebounds. Dudley and Elijah Thomas each had 5 points. Austin – Johnson finished a team-high 18 points, with 3 rebounds and 2 assists, and Isaiah Fuller had 9 points. Caiden Ricks and Isaiah Baker had 7 points each, the former adding 9 rebounds. Harry Malone contributed 4 points and 6 rebounds.

Coachspeak: “We knew it was going to be competitive. They’re (Austin) extremely athletic and physical. We got a big lead there and knew they were going to make a run and keep coming and keep coming and keep coming. We wanted to stay aggressive offensively and the guys did a great job of going out there in the end and putting it away.” – Hoover’s Scott Ware

“These guys bought in from the beginning. As a coach, that makes your job a lot easier when you have a team that buys into what you’re doing and this season was a testament to that. They took coaching and improved weekly, and I’m proud of what they accomplished as a team. It didn’t end the way we wanted, but the positives that come from this is the culture and foundation laid down by these seniors.” – Austin’s Desmond Phillips

They said it: “It was a good competitive game and they played hard. We knew they would make a run and had to make sure we didn’t get too high, keep our composure and punch back.” – DeWayne Brown

“Coach told us before the game to stay on script. What we do in practice every day, go out and do what we do.” – Salim London

What’s next? Hoover advances to face eighth-ranked Thompson in Tuesday’s Northwest Regional final at Wallace State’s Traditions Bank Arena.