The Patriots’ boys varsity basketball team hosted the Hoover Buccaneers Monday night, Jan. 30, and despite a valiant effort, ultimately fell to the top-ranked 7a powerhouse. 

The Bucs entered the matchup against Homewood on a roll, having won 18 of their last 19 and making their way to a late postseason push.

The same could go for the Patriots. Being recently crowned regular season champions and set to host the area tournament soon, Homewood welcomed the challenge of Hoover, having already upset Spain Park under similar circumstances, and poised to try to repeat their earlier magic.

However, their enthusiasm was short-lived. Hoover came out clicking on all cylinders, dominating the interior and thus allowing shooters to free up after the Patriots scrambled to adjust to their massive size disadvantage. 

Homewood also struggled on offense just as much, unable to find the bottom of the basket and only able to churn out a singular Latham Binkly free throw by the end of the period.

While able to finally produce a few points on the board in the second quarter, the Patriots still had no answer defensively until switching to a 3-2 zone to close the half trailing 17-33. 

It was the same story in the second half: despite Homewood finding their threes, the Bucs cruised to a clean 65-40 win. 

Offensively, senior guard Cannon Armstead proved to be the lone bright spot, totaling 11 of his 16 points in the second, with help from juniors Jeremiah Gary and Will Pope’s 5 and 7, respectively. 

However, Homewood should not let the loss affect them too much; in the grand scheme, it means little to the team’s road to a

potential championship. 

They will instead set their sights on Tuesday, Jan. 31, and the following Thursday, Feb. 2, as they close out the regular season against Bibb County and George Washington Carver and begin to mount what they hope to be a long playoff endeavor.

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