Lady Tigers wins two area games over Athens, Decatur

For the Enquirer

The Hartselle Lady Tigers opened area play with victories over Athens and Decatur and improved to 12-2 for the season.

Hartselle 42, Athens 21 The Lady Tigers outscored Athens 10-2 in the first quarter and cruised to a 42-21 win to open area play.

The Hartselle defense dominated an Athens team that was averaging 47 points per game. The Lady Tigers held Athens to 26 points below their season average.

Hartselle led 27-6 at halftime and 37-12 heading into the fourth quarter.

Mary Frances Itsede finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds to lead Hartselle. Hannah Burks added 15 points, four assists and three steals.

Hartselle 48, Decatur 33 The Lady Tigers found themselves in a tussle with Decatur early on in Hartselle’s 48-33 win. The Lady Red Raiders played at a slower tempo to counteract the Hartselle high-scoring attack. Decatur’s pace of play helped keep them in the game for much of the first three quarters.

Hartselle led 12-10 after the first quarter and 23-20 heading into the halftime.

The Lady Tigers dominated the third quarter, outscoring Decatur 11-2 to extend their lead to 34-22. They continued to pull away in the fourth as they outscored the Lady Red Raiders 14-11 to get the 15-point victory.

Itsede finished with her second double-double of the week and third and the last four games, 16 points and 13 rebounds. Anna Hampton Burroughs added 11 points and three steals. Elsie Boyd had nine points, five rebounds, three steals and two assists, while Burks scored seven.