Corky Kell & Dave Hunter Basketball Classic Preview – Pinson Valley (AL) Vs. Gainesville (B)

The final matchup of the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Basketball Classic brings the host team, Gainesville, against the events only out-of-state team, Pinson Valley. By way of Pinson, Alabama, the Indians travel to Gainesville High School with a 5-1 record and a defense allowing less than 45 PPG to begin the year. The Red Elephants are perfect to start the year, recently defeating Woodward Academy 52-51 to remain perfect on the year. Gainesville also defeated Pinson Valley last year, winning 60-57 in an overtime thriller.

Last year, Gainesville won a region championship before getting knocked out of the playoffs in the first round by Sprayberry. This year’s veteran team looks to be much improved from the 2024-25 campaign. “Our guys really put the hammer down over the summer improving their game and improving their bodies. I’m proud of the guys sacrificing for each other,” Gainesville head coach Charlemagne Gibbons said.

Gainesville will look to use their size to dominate in the paint against Pinson Valley. “We like to pound it down inside,” he said. They will have a significant size and strength advantage in this game with 7 guys at or above 6’3”.

Pinson Valley’s Eli Allen is one of the few players who can match Gainesville physically. He leads the team in rebounding at 5.6 RPG. At 6’3”, but at 240 pounds, he will need to use his frame to defend and attack the glass down low. Allen is the only Pinson Valley Indian over 175 pounds.

Despite the size advantage, Gainesville will need to play clean against a Pinson Valley team that steals the ball 12 times per game. If Pinson Valley can create chaos, get out in transition, and speed up the game, they can take away the effect of Gainesville’s size.

Gainesville will rely on a bevy of seniors in this matchup. “We have a big group of seniors, everyone knows their role, but we have been hit with the injury bug, so we have been playing with the rotation a bit,” Coach Gibbons said.

KJ White has been a great closer for the Red Elephants this year. Charlie Gersmehl, a 6’8” Belmont commit, and guard Brandon Nelson will also play a big role in this matchup.

“Having a great senior group and having different guys that can close a game is huge for us,” Coach Gibbons said. “KJ [White] does a lot down the stretch for us and [Brandon Nelson] and [Charlie Gersmehl] built a foundation for how we do things on and off the court.”

PINSON VALLEY (AL.) ROSTER

Head Coach: Darrell Barber

0, Taylen "Tay" Johnson, G/SG/W, 9

2, JaQuavious "Quay" Lynch, SG/PG, 12

3, Jalen "JP" Pritchett, W/PG, 12

4, Tyler "Ty" Holifield, PG/SG, 12

5, Rardrecus "RJ" Addison, G, 10

10, Jaylen "JayMan" Lewis, W, 10

11, Darren "Dee" Thompson, PG, 10

12, Christian Moody, SG, 11

13, Braylen "Bray" Ringstaff, W/F, 10

23, Derrick McTerry, SF, 10

24, Caleb Tinsley, PG, 10

25, Galen Howard, F, 10

32, Elijah "Eli" Allen, PF, 10

GAINESVILLE ROSTER

Head Coach: Charlemagne Gibbons

0, Henry Cato, G, 9

1, Quintin Mansfield, F, 12

2, Brandon Nelson, G, 12

3, Kevin "KJ" White, G, 12

4, Bryce Jackson, G, 12

5, Jaxton Trammell, F, 9

10, Ari Bell, G, 10

11, Jalen Butts, G, 9

12, Sebastian Collins, G, 12

15, Ash Vollrath, F, 11

21, Charlie Gersmehl, F, 12

23, Cam Benford, G, 9

25, Kevin Curtis, C, 12

‍