Officially, basketball season for Alabama High School Athletic Association schools began on Monday night.

But anyone looking at the Hubbertville-Vina score from Friday night had to wonder if it started early.

And while the high score was basketball-like in Hubbertville’s 76-52 win, Tommy Haley-Ricks’ numbers were out of this world and earned him Alabama Sports Writers Association offensive player of the week honors.

Haley-Ricks had 24 carries for 420 yards (fifth-most in state history) and eight rushing touchdowns – 7, 64, 12, 60, 55, 41, 35 and 7 yards. He also had a 49-yard touchdown receiving and returned a kickoff for 72 yards to inside the Vina 10. His nine total touchdowns set a new AHSAA record and his two two-point conversions gave him a total of 58 points to break the Class 1A single-game scoring record of 57 points, held by Tony Dixon of Parrish and now the University of Kentucky, set against Hubbertville in 2003.

On defense/special teams, Boaz senior defensive end Zane Pullen more than earned ASWA player of the week honors. He recorded 10 tackles, including six for loss, four sacks, one quarterback hurry, caused a fumble and covered a fumble in the Pirates 40-8 win Friday against Class 1A No. 6 R.A. Hubbard.

Pullen edged two other fine efforts: Charles Henderson defensive end Antonio Youngblood had two fumble recoveries, an interception and a sack in the Class 5A Trojans’ 35-27 victory over 6A Northview.