Red Bay holds off Tanner to reach Northwest Regional final
Avenging last season’s Northwest Regional semifinal defeat, the Red Bay High School boys’ varsity basketball team fended off the Tanner Rattlers in Hanceville Tuesday morning, winning 61-59 to clinch a spot in the AHSAA Class 2A Elite Eight.
Up 10 points at halftime, the Tigers, knowing a second-half surge would be coming from Tanner, weathered it successfully to advance to the regional final for the first time since 2019.
“I knew it was going to be a battle,” Red Bay head coach John Torisky said. “At halftime we were up 10 points and in the locker room I told my guys, ‘Be ready for it. It’s coming. Tanner’s going to throw everything they’ve got at you.’ The intensity picked up in the second half, but I think we did a good job withstanding the pressure.
“I think we played really well, and I think we were the better team in the game,” he added. “But Tanner doesn’t die. They are a very tough team, and fortunately we were able to make enough plays to win.”
Tanner came out of the halftime break ready to shoot, but Red Bay, known to put up big numbers this season, was able to keep pace with the Rattlers and maintain a five- to 10-point advantage going into the final minute of the game. It wasn’t until the very end that Tanner, led by Rickey Speights, Jr. and his 25 points, was able to rattle in some three-point heaves and make the score nerve-rackingly (for fans) closer.
Torisky said his team, bolstered by experience and leadership, maintained its composure and did well handling the situation.
“I felt pretty good about where we were at at the end of the game,” Torisky said.
“There are always some nerves going into it (the regional tournament) but it’s how you’re able to handle it,” he added. “A lot of the guys on our team got a lot of playing time last year and have been in these situations before, so they’re experienced. And we were pretty confident with our game plan and what we wanted to do.
“I also think Khalil (Luster) and Jaxon (Vinson) stepped up and did a great job. When your leaders are cool and composed and are making plays, that has an affect on the other guys. Khalil and Jaxon were huge for us.”
Luster, who had a first-half double-double, finished as the game’s top scorer with 26 points. The sophomore all-state player also collected 17 rebounds for the Tigers and drew a team-high nine fouls. The senior Vinson added 17 points and was a physical presence inside all game long.
Red Bay has rarely been tested by its opponents recently. Torisky said the competitive contest against Tanner, now that it’s out of the way, can only be better conditioning for the future—and especially going into a regional final against No. 6 Cold Springs.
“We needed a close game. It’s been a while since we’ve had someone really push us and play us close. I think the last time we had someone play us within 30 points was Hubbertville (on January 31),” Torisky said. “I think a close game like that, it can do nothing but help us going forward.
“Cold Springs is a really good team, and I think they’re one of the few teams that can match up with us size-wise,” Torisky said. “They’re a good team with some great shooters. They play a matchup zone, which we haven’t seen a lot of this year, so we’ll have to be prepared for that. But I feel good about our game plan and I know we have the ability to score. We’re going to keep doing what we’ve been doing offensively; we’re going to take our shots and if they fall, they fall and if they don’t, they don’t. But I’m confident in our team and confident that we can win the game on Monday.”
Tip-off of the Class 2A boys Northwest Regional final between Red Bay and Cold Springs is scheduled for 10:45 a.m. on Monday, February 23, at Wallace State Community College’s Traditions Bank Arena.