Danville’s Madalyn Holladay dribbles around Hartselle’s Erika Johnson. | Caleb Suggs

Caleb Suggs

Hartselle Enquirer

There was probably no one in the state that could have sympathized with the frustration that the Danville Lady Hawks were feeling after the Morgan County tournament. Danville had the two time defending champions Hartselle Lady Tigers on the ropes as they led 51-29 in the third quarter. Danville was looking at an almost certain county finals berth, only to see it slip away as Hartselle completed an epic comeback to win 75-65. It was a performance that left many just shaking their heads saying, “it happens” which is how Danville head coach chose to look at it. “That game will only haunt me if I choose to let it and I don’t intend to.” Wilson said. “That game will not define us, but what we do from here out will. The Lady Hawks will respond in a positive way.” The Lady Hawks did just that when they met the Falkville Lady Blue Devils.

Danville opened the game on a 12-2 run with Jolee Cole and Emma Broadfoot providing the last baskets. Jordan Hinkle added a few more baskets as Tara Tuck harassed the Blue Devils with full court press defense. Falkville’s Ravyn Gilstrap hit a basket just before the buzzer, but Danville still led 23-6 at the end of the first.

Danville kept their foot on the gas in the second as Hinkle poured in six points to help push Danville’s lead to 32-7. However, the Blue Devils responded by ending the quarter on a 10-3 run to cut the lead to 35-17 at halftime. Gilstrap, along with Abby Speegle and Sydnee Fitzgerald, helped pour in the baskets that cut the lead.

Despite Falkville’s push late in the first half, Danville ran away with the game in the second. The Lady Hawks went on a 25-3 run to start the third quarter and led 62-22 at the end of the third quarter. Danville won the game 69-32.

Jolee Cole was the Hawk’s leading scorer in the game with 19 points. Jordan Hinkle was second with 12 points. Tara Tuck and Emma Broadfoot both finished with nine points and McKayla Stover finished with eight.