BIRMINGHAM — For the second year in a row Cedar Bluff gave its all in the Class 1A state title game. But just like a year ago, the Tigers came up short against No. 1-ranked Pickens County, 70-59, Thursday night.

Last year the Tigers pushed a 30-1 Tornadoes team into overtime before falling 70-62 in an unforgettable encounter. This year, Pickens County didn't need the extra time to bring home another Blue Trophy.

After Pickens County stormed out to an early 5-0 lead, Cedar Bluff ended the first quarter on top, 13-11. Stout defensive play led to an 8-0 second quarter run by Pickens County, which hasn't lost to a team from Class 1A in the past two seasons. In the final two minutes before halftime the Tornadoes forced four Cedar Bluff turnovers and eventually jogged to the locker room with a 32-26 lead.

In the third, the Tigers (20-15) started off strong, going on an 8-2 run that included a three-pointer by Terrance Scales and baskets by Rihied Harris and DeAngelo Hardy. At one point the Tigers even managed to tie the game at 34-34.
Eventually, however, the Tornadoes outscored the Tigers 19-15 in the period to stretch the lead to 10 points by the end of the third, 51-41.

Cedar Bluff managed one strong, fourth-quarter push that brought them to within five points late in the going before the Tornadoes (29-5) stretched the margin of victory in the final five minutes.

Scoring honors went to Pickens County's Warren Betts. The senior finished with 19 points, six steals and four assists. For Cedar Bluff, Hardy finished with 18 points and six rebounds. Hardy and Scales were all-tournament selections for the Tigers.