By Staff
The Brewer Lady Patriots rallied in both games of the championship match to defeat Hartselle 16-14, 16-14 for the Morgan Co. Championship.
"Our seniors played so well for us," Brewer coach Ron Smith said. "In the championship match it would have been so easy for the team to quit, but they didn't. They just kept plugging away."
Hartselle had jumped out to an 11-2 lead in the second game of the match, but Brewer stormed back for a 16-14 win.
"I'm pleased with my girls," Hartselle head coach Tanya Lybarger said. "We were just tired and couldn't pull it off.
"But, if I had my choice, I would rather win Area."
"With all the teams that are in the county tournament like Decatur and Austin, it makes this win that more special," Smith said. "I'm so proud of these girls."
In pool play, Brewer defeated West Morgan and Falkville. Brewer reached the championship match by defeating Decatur 16-14, 15-11.
"This didn't come easy at all," Smith said. "Hartselle is such a rival, and a lot of the girls know each other, so it's big for us to beat them for the county championship."
Hartselle defeated Priceville and split with Danville in pool play, and defeated Austin 15-13 and 15-2 in the semi-finals.
Hartselle and Brewer have squared off five times this season with Hartselle holding a 3-2 edge. The two teams will likely be the favorites to advance from their four-team area.
In all likelihood, the teams will play at least three more times.
In other matches during pool play, Falkville beat West Morgan but fell to Brewer, while Priceville beat Danville but fell to Hartselle. Danville split with the Lady Tigers.
Danville's Jessica Wallace, who landed on the All-Tournament Team, notched 15 assists and nine digs during pool play.
No other individual stats were sent in to the Enquirer before press time.
All-Tournament Team: Jennifer Jones and Amanda Davis, Brewer; Regan Sandlin and Holly Kilgore, Hartselle; Diana May, Falkville; Jessica Wallace, Danville; Bonnie Bradford, West Morgan; Casey Lee, Decatur Heritage; Lindsey Bates, Austin; Kathryn Kirby, Priceville; and Audra Stallings, Decatur.