Lady Tigers win two at Encore Thanksgiving Classic
For the Enquirer
The Hartselle Lady Tigers faced three unique challenges in the 2024 Encore Thanksgiving Classic. They opened with Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa before playing Florence and Homewood. They fell to a talented Hillcrest team and then defeated the Lady Falcons and Lady Patriots.
Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa 51, Hartselle 43 The Lady Tigers opened the Encore Thanksgiving Classic with a loss to 7A Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa. The Lady Patriots jumped out to a 17-10 first quarter lead and held onto the seven point difference at halftime after a 9-9 second quarter. Hillcrest increased their lead to 40-31 heading into the fourth quarter.
The Lady Tigers cut the lead to four multiple times in the fourth quarter but couldn’t get any closer as Hillcrest held on for the 51-43 win.
Hannah Burks finished with 12 points to lead Hartselle, while Anna Hampton Burroughs added 10 points. Mary Frances Itsede had seven points and eight rebounds.
Hartselle 53, Florence 43
The Lady Tigers jumped out to an 18-10 first quarter lead over 7A Florence. They extended their lead to 28-18 at halftime. They took a 20 point lead late in the third quarter before Florence cu the lead to 45-28 heading into the fourth quarter. Florence outscored Hartselle 15-8 in the final quarter to make the final score 53-43.
Burks finished with 22 points to lead Hartselle. Itsede had 15 points and nine rebounds, while Burroughs added nine points, four rebounds and three assists. Ella Springer added five steals.
Hartselle 53, Homewood 51
The Lady Tigers struggled for much of the game but was able to pull out the victory, taking their first lead of the game with less than 30 seconds remaining.
Homewood jumped out to a 14-7 first quarter lead and extended their lead to 28-20 at halftime. The Lady Tigers began their comeback in the third quarter as they outscored the Lady Patriots 19-16 to cut the lead to 44-39 heading into the final quarter.
The Lady Tigers’ defense stepped up in the fourth quarter and held Homewood to seven points, which gave Hartselle the chance to win the game. The Lady Tigers’ offense scored 14 points to get the two-point victory.
Burroughs finished with 17 points to lead Hartselle, while Itsede had a doubledouble, 13 points and 12 rebounds. Burks added 10 points and six rebounds.
