Danville’s Lucas Sparks drives past a Falkville defender. | Caleb Suggs

Caleb Suggs

Hartselle Enquirer

Two points. That has been the difference between the Danville Hawks and the Falkville Blue Devils this year in two different contests, and not two points each time, but two points combined. Danville has edged their cross county rival each time by just a single point. However, this time it took some late heroics to push the Hawks over the Blue Devils.

The beginning of the game turned into a three-point contest. Falkville knocked down two from Nic Reid and Alex Fowler and Danville hit one from Drew Fitzgerald as Falkville took a 6-3 lead. The two squads went back and forth as Fowler gave the Blue Devils the lead once again at 10-7 with another three pointer, but the Hawks tied it at 10 at the end of the first.

The game stayed close throughout as neither team could gain an advantage. Falkville raced ahead by 4-5 points multiple times ahead in the second just to see Danville comeback and tie the game. The Blue Devils led 20-15 but a couple free throws by Cameron Orr, and then a steal and two more free throws from Fitzgerald cut the lead to 20-19. Colton Qualls extended the lead back to three but Orr trimmed it back to 22-21 just before halftime.

The third quarter saw the first time either team was able to take a bigger lead as the Blue Devils made the game 38-31. However, back-to-back three point shots from Fitzgerald and Kaleb Bolton cut the lead back to 39-37 at the end of the third.

After trailing for most of the game, the fourth quarter saw the first time the Hawks were able to take control of the game. Orr gave Danville its biggest lead of the game 45-41. Falkville later tied it back and then Fowler put the Devils ahead 50-47. However, Garrett Robinson tied it back at 50-50 and then Carson Owens put the Hawks ahead 51-50. Nick Greenfield missed a shot with 25 seconds left forcing the Devils to foul, but Robinson missed his free throw giving Falkville another chance. The Blue Devils again missed their shot but regained possession of the ball with three seconds. However, they couldn’t get a shot to fall and Danville won the game 51-50.

Drew Fitzgerald and Garrett Robinson were the leading scorers for the Hawks with 13 points each. Cameron Orr finished with 11.

Alex Fowler led the Blue Devils with 18 points. Aaron Dove and Nic Reid both finished with nine.