By Staff
Nick Johnston, Hartselle Enquirer
FLORETTE – The Brewer Patriots opened their season with a 63-48 win against the Decatur Red Raiders Tuesday night.
Matt Eslick led the charge with 14 points, including a span during the third quarter where he scored seven consecutive points.
Eslick's Patriots trailed Decatur 8-7 with 2:07 remaining in the first quarter, but a 13-0 run during the next 4:16 gave Brewer a 20-8 lead.
Brewer opened up a 16-point lead by the end of the third quarter, but allowed the Red Raiders to creep back into the game. Freddie Harris, who led all scorers with 21 points, sparked a rally that eventually put Decatur within six with 3:04 remaining in the contest. The Patriots, though, ended the game with an 11-2 run.
Brett Mooneyham added 12 for Brewer, while Matt Rice chipped in nine as did junior Dustin Scott. Chase Reid added six in the win.
Decatur Lady Red Raiders 87, Brewer Lady Patriots 57
Shelley Stanley led four Lady Red Raiders in double figures with 22 points as Decatur defeated Brewer 87-57.
Decatur's Shandra McCoy and Kendra Morris scored 13 apiece, while Joi Kirk added 10.
Brewer fell behind 23-11 by first quarters end and trailed 41-21 by halftime.
The Lady Patriots could get no closer to Decatur than 17. With 1:04 remaining in the third quarter, Ashley Walker hit a jumper, making the score 57-40.
From there, Brewer was outscored 30-17.
Walker led the Lady Patriots with 15 points, Lynsie Lamiti had nine, Jessica Thompson had eight as did Heather Gore.
Both Brewer teams entertain Guntersville Friday.