Vestavia Hills coach Patrick Davis knew Wednesday’s game against Cullman would center on toughness.

“This type of game usually comes down to those tough plays,” Davis said. “Not flashy plays, but the tough plays. They pride themselves on toughness, and do a really good job in those areas, and we do the same.”

Mission accomplished.

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The Rebels handed the reigning 6A state champions a 58-52 loss in the Metro Tournament at Homewood High, the Bearcats’ second loss in three games.

Vestavia Hills improved to 10-3. Cullman fell to 14-3.

“I thought we were really active defensively from the jump,” Davis said. “We told our guys this was going to be a heavyweight fight. We know we got a good team. They’re good. We knew they weren’t going to lay down.”

The Rebels forced multiple turnovers early, jumped out to a double-digit lead and then road that wave throughout the game. They also did not allow any Bearcat to score more than 13 points on the night.

“We were really tough defensively, more possessions than not,” Davis said. “Sometimes the ball goes in a lot. Sometimes it doesn’t. But you’ve got to keep guarding when it doesn’t, and our group bought into that.”

Cullman coach Stu Stuedeman said his team couldn’t take care of the ball.

“We looked a little sleepy early,” he said. “It took us three and a half quarters to wake up. You can’t start against a quality opponent slow. Every win or loss is a lesson learned. If, you are not learning lessons from wins and losses, you’re not getting better.”

Senior point guard Win Miller led the Rebels with 20 points.

“He tough. He’s a winner,” Davis said. “He’s been in a million of these (close games). The kid just wants to win. He’ll do whatever it takes. He didn’t have the ball go in the bucket as much tonight. We’ve been in a lot of close games, so our guys like this.”

Junior Jordan Ross also chipped in 18 points for Vestavia Hills, while fellow junior Jackson Weaver scored 10 critical points for the Rebels.

“As a freshman, I was just shooting,” Miller said. “As a senior, I control the game more. I can go get a bucket whenever I need to. Having to be a leader once I got older, I got to be that guy that can be the pint guard and leader on the floor.”

Weaver said he is adjusting to his role on the team.

“I would say my role is being an off guy for Win (Miller), when he’s getting double teamed,” Weaver said. “Just to be a guy consistently relieving pressure off him.”

Vestavia Hills will play Clay-Chalkville in the quarterfinal round of the Metro Tournament. Cullman will take on Arab.

Tucker Cagle led the Bearcats with 13 points.