Tigers end Brewer’s 12-game win streak
For the Enquirer
The Hartselle Tigers shook off two losses earlier in the week to earn a 47-41 win over 5A No. 10 Brewer, ending the Patriots 12-game winning streak. Hartselle suffered road losses to 6A No. 3 Cullman and a very athletic Gadsden City team. “There was every reason for us to make excuses heading into the game,” head coach Josh Golden said. “But we found a way to get the win. Ty took over in the second half and led the team to victory. He was not going to lose this game.”
Hartselle 47, Brewer 41 Hartselle found themselves in an early hole as 5A No. 10 Brewer jumped out to a 6-0 lead midway through the first quarter. But the Tigers began chipping away and eventually found themselves trailing 8-7 to end the first quarter. Both teams scored 10 points in the second, leaving the Patriots with an 18-17 lead heading into halftime. The Tigers outscored Brewer 13-10 in the third quarter to take a 31-28 lead into the final quarter. The fourth quarter was a back-and-forth battle for much of the fourth quarter as Tigers maintained a slim lead. A late technical foul on Brewer, for calling a timeout with none remaining, turned out to be the final nail in the proverbial coffin. The Tigers made both free throws and held on for the 47-41 victory. The Hartselle win ended the Patriots’ 12-game winning streak that started when Brewer defeated the Tigers 51-50. Ty Odom finished with 26 points, including 20 in the second half, nine rebounds, three steals and a block to lead the Tigers (9-6) to victory. Gray Bennich added seven points, eight rebounds and two steals, while Aiden Pointer had six points, five rebounds and two steals. Carters Sheats added six rebounds. Austyn Holmes led Brewer (12-2) with 20 points. Cason Oden added eight points and 16 rebounds, while Cam Ballinger had six points and six rebounds and Jackson Dunn had five.
Gadsden City 58, Hartselle 51
The Tigers controlled much of the first three quarters before succumbing to the Gadsden City pressure in their 58-51 loss to the Titans. After a 13-13 first quarter, Hartselle outscored Gadsden City 10-6 in the second quarter to lead 23-19 at halftime. The Tigers opened the second half with an 11-2 run to extend their lead to 34-22. The Titans defense took control of the game forcing numerous Tiger turnovers as Gadsden City went on a 19-0 run to end the third quarter with a 43-34 lead. They opened the fourth quarter by adding five more points to extend their run to 24-0, making the score 46-34. Hartselle, despite seeing their lead evaporate, didn’t quit and continued to battle back in the final quarter to cut the Titans lead to seven, making the final score 58-51. Bennich led Hartselle with 21 points, while Odom added 18 points. Reed Springer added five points.
Cullman 74, Hartselle 55 The Tigers had a couple of scoring lapses that ended up costing them in their loss to Cullman to start the week.
The Bearcats jumped out to a 25-16 first quarter lead, only to see Hartselle battle back in the second quarter, outscoring the Bearcats 15-9, to trail 34-31 heading into halftime. The Tigers eventually got the lead down to two points, 39-37 midway through the third. Hartselle went cold for much of the remainder of the quarter as Cullman went on a 21-8 run to make the score 60-45 heading into the fourth quarter. The Bearcats outscored Hartselle 14-10 in the fourth to finish the game, winning 74-55.
Odom finished with 24 points and four rebounds to lead Hartselle. Rhett Boyd added nine points, while Pointer had seven points and two blocks. Sheats had seven assists.
