Hartselle opens Deline era with a 61-51 win at Athens

ATHENS — The Hartselle Lady Tigers opened the season with a 61-51 win over Athens in the first game for new head coach Amber Deline.

“I am proud of our effort and energy,” Deline said. “We have some things we need to work on, but this was a good start for us.”

Hartselle trailed 19-17 at the end of the first quarter but held the Lady Golden Eagles to six points in the second quarter to lead 32-25 at halftime. The Lady Tigers led 46-42 after the third before pulling away for the win.

Gracie Hill scored a team-high 22 points and five steals to lead Hartselle (1-0). Mary Frances Itsede added nine points and 14 rebounds, while Emma Roden and Anna Hampton Burroughs each finished with six points.

Hartselle 60, Austin 35: The Lady Tigers continued their dominance over the Austin Lady Black Bears with a 60-35 win.

Hartselle jumped out to a 22-6 lead after the first quarter and extended it to 43-21 at halftime.

The Lady Tigers were led by Burroughs and Hill, who scored 14 points apiece. Roden added 10 points and six steals, while Sophie Estep and Ella Springer each had six. Itsede finished with 10 rebounds.

Buckhorn 58, Hartselle 46: The Lady Tigers fell 58-46 on the road at Buckhorn this past Friday afternoon.

The Lady Bucks led 14-12 after the first and 32-25 at halftime.

Hill led Hartselle with 14 points, while eighth-grader Hannah Burks finished with 12 points and five rebounds. Itsede and Burroughs each added seven points, with Itsede pulling down 11 rebounds. Karleigh Shipley had six points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals.