CURRY — Curry matched Walker shot for shot through the first half of their rivalry game Friday night.
For every run the Vikings made, Curry countered. The first half ended with Walker leading 27-26.
Then the second half started and the Vikings took control.
Walker contested every Curry shot, grabbed rebounds and finally put away the Yellow Jackets in the fourth quarter, earning a 59-43 road victory.
Walker head coach Scotty Ware said the Vikings’ second-half defense was the difference in the game.
“We gave them easy shots in the first half. We left them open. In the second half we made them shoot with a hand in their face,” Ware said. “They only had two offensive rebounds in the second half. That’s something we’ve been struggling with. I’m proud of our guys. We finished possessions with boxing out and rebounding in the second half.”
Another difference in the game was the play of Brandon Thursby and Donaldson, who combined for 27 points in the win.
Thursby, who missed two games with an injured ankle, seemed back at 100 percent, scoring 16 points, including five in the fourth quarter as Walker put the game out of reach.
“He was probably at 80 percent on Tuesday. He worked hard at rebab,” Ware said. “He’s a guy that needs to look to score for us.”
Donaldson added 11 points and 12 rebounds, including nine boards in the second half. Michael Bridges added 10 points and Ryan Dill had eight points and 10 assists.
Curry led 3-0 only to have Walker responded with seven straight points in the opening quarter. The Yellow Jackets quickly battled back to take the lead at 8-7. Walker held a slim 15-14 lead after the first quarter. The game remained close through the second quarter as well with the Vikings taking a 27-26 lead into the half.
Walker (4-5 overall, 2-1 in 5A, Area 11) led 39-33 after three quarter and outscored Curry 20-10 in the fourth quarter with Thursby added five points and Que’Drekas Key scoring four points.
For Curry, Spencer Fikes had 13 points, Dylan Whitt had nine points, Alex Odom added seven and Welsey Key put in six.
The Vikings still control their destiny in area play. If Walker wins out, the Vikings would claim the regular-season area title and would host the area tournament.
Walker plays in the Hueytown Christmas Tournament next week and will take on Jackson-Olin at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.
VARSITY GIRLS
Walker 38, Curry 23
Walker held Curry scoreless in the first quarter and never looked back from there, handing the Lady Yellow Jackets a 38-23 loss in their area game Friday night.
The Lady Vikings held a 7-0 lead after the first quarter and led 18-6 at the half. Curry didn’t break double digits until the fourth quarter.
Walker (6-6, 1-2) took a 24-8 lead into the fourth quarter.
Shania Reed led a balanced Walker attack with 10 points, Sidney Cooper had eight points, Jasmine Lake added seven, Madisyn Hood put in five, both Tasia Phillips and Chloe Sudberry had three points and Jessica Woodley added two.
For Curry (3-8, 0-3), Mary Beth Scott had eight points and Olivia Smith put in four.
Curry hit four 3-pointers on the night, but the rest of the Lady Yellow Jackets’ points came at the free throw line.
JV BOYS
Walker 51, Curry 30
Walker got off to a fast start, scoring 16 points in each of the first two quarters en route to a 51-30 win at Curry.
The Vikings led 16-5 after the opening quarter and took a 32-15 lead into the half. Walker led 41-23 going into the final quarter.
James Clouse led Walker with 11 points while both Kenyatta Woods and Sa’Darius Key had nine and Ja’Ray McElrath put in eight. For Curry, Gann had nine points.
NINTH-GRADE BOYS
Walker 66, Curry 6
The Vikings led through the first period 26-1 before taking a 39-1 lead into halftime. Walker continued to lead in the third period, 54-3 before reaching the 66-6 final.
Isreal Johnson led the Vikings with 15 points, while Treyvon Chatman scored 13 points. John Michael Reed, Denzell Daley and Adam Mason scored eight points each.
Walker (6-2) travels to take on the Hoover Buccaneers in the Big Orange Classic on Dec. 26.
