By Solomon Crenshaw Jr.
Mountain Brook stood on the cusp of at least extending its bid for a Class 6A boys basketball championship and Batman could only watch from the sideline.
Unfortunately for the Spartans, defending state champion Buckhorn still had Robin.
For the second year in a row, Mountain Brook fell to the Bucks in the 6A final of the AHSAA basketball tournament last Saturday at Birmingham’s Legacy Arena. This time 32 minutes weren’t enough as Buckhorn won 52-51 in overtime.
Eventual MVP Caleb Holt, aka Batman, fouled out with 45 seconds left in regulation, leaving some to believe the Bucks (29-5) were vulnerable. But Mountain Brook coach Tyler Davis knew better.
“They’ve got multiple guys that are probably going to play at the next level,” Davis said. “Yeah, the Power 5 guy goes off the floor (but) he’s playing with guys that are state champion basketball players.”
Count junior guard Fred Derrick, aka Robin, as among them. He scored four of Buckhorn’s seven points in the extra period, but he made the play of the game on defense.
As the Spartans’ Carson Romero drove for a possible game-winning layup, the junior guard reached in and stole the ball an instant before the overtime buzzer.
“I just saw that ball,” Derrick said, “and I had to get it.”
Davis said, “Fred made some amazing plays there down the stretch. There was no celebration on our part (when Holt fouled out) because they’re a championship team.”
Buckhorn beat Mountain Brook 65-56 in the 2023 championship game.
Before tipoff last Saturday, Davis challenged his team to be fearless competitors for 32 minutes.
“At the end of the day, we’ll let the chips fall where they fall,” he said. “They gave me 36 minutes.
“It’s one of the best senior classes we’ve ever had come through Mountain Brook,” the coach continued. “Obviously, it’s personal because of Ty (his son, a senior) being a part of it. I’ve known these guys since they were in kindergarten. They’re great kids, and that’s the most important thing. But they’re also those great competitors and they’re winners, so I’m proud of my guys.”
Ty Davis, a Creighton signee, led the Spartans with 14 points and six rebounds while playing every one of those 36 minutes. Romero followed with 10 points.
Regulation ended in a 45-45 tie. Buckhorn’s Deven Chapman appeared to tip in the game-winner at the final buzzer, but officials went to instant replay and determined the ball left Chapman’s hands a second late.
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Holt, the reigning Class 6A player of the year and MVP of last year’s title run, was clearly not at his best as he was seen flexing his left leg and limping throughout the contest. He still finished with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Derrick had a game-high 19 and four steals.
The record book may again show Holt as MVP, but he refused to let the spotlight shine on him alone. The sophomore sensation insisted on Derrick standing with him as he accepted the award.
“Without Fred,” Holt said, “we wouldn’t have won the game.”
The Spartans reached their latest title game with a 46-43 victory over Carver-Montgomery in the semifinal. Ty Davis led the way with 13 points and Henry Hufham had nine rebounds.
Davis and Romero were named to the all-tournament team.
The Spartans (27-8) were playing in a championship game for the 10th time in 12 years, winning six state titles, including three in Class 7A. In four seasons under Davis, the Spartans have won one Class 6A championship (2021) and finished as runners-up twice.
Coach Davis took the helm of the Mountain Brook program when former coach Bucky McMillan moved on to lead Samford University. The current coach called the program he and McMillan helped build one that is driven by the process.
“Basically, it’s, ‘Win every single day,’” he said. “We challenge ourselves by playing tough opponents throughout the year. We have tough practices. Ultimately, we feel like if you do that and you put yourself in adverse situations, then you’re gonna end up maxing out.
“Unfortunately, the last two years we’ve come up short in the state championship game. Time will heal. Those are great accomplishments.”
