By Russell Frye

For the Enquirer

Morgan County will be well represented when the regional tournaments tip off Thursday morning. Six teams: Hartselle, Danville, Falkville, Priceville, Austin and Decatur Heritage, will travel to Wallace looking to bring back a regional title and a berth in the Final Four. Brewer will travel to Jacksonville on their quest for a return trip to Birmingham.

Hartselle 69, Athens 51

The Hartselle Lady Tigers defeated the Athens Golden Eagles 69-51 to advance to the northwest regional tournament for the second consecutive season and third out the last four years.

The Lady Tigers got nine points from Masyn Marchbanks in the first quarter as they built a 19-9 lead over Athens.

Hartselle (26-4) was led by Moriah Taylor who finished with 24 points while Marchbanks finished with 21 points and Kalli Cartee added 16.

The Lady Tigers outscored Athens 21-15 in the second quarter to extend their lead to 40-24 at halftime.

The Golden Eagles cut the Hartselle lead to 13 points late in the game, but another Lady Tigers’ run pushed the final deficit to 18 points.

Athens finishes their season with a 15-15 record.

Hartselle will open the 6A Regional Tournament with No. 6 McAdory (24-7) on Friday morning at 9 a.m.

Brewer 46, Boaz 35

The Brewer Lady Patriots punched their ticket to the regional tournament in Jacksonville with a 46-35 victory over the Boaz Lady Pirates.

The Lady Patriots jumped out to a 15-9 first quarter lead but saw the Lady Pirates outscore the 16-9 in the second to hold a 25-24 lead at the halftime break.

Brewer dominated the second half by outscoring Boaz 22- 10 in the second half to get the victory.

Brewer (22-9) was led by McCarley Northway’s double-double, 13 points, and 10 rebounds, while Jacie Andrews finished with 11 points and Leisha Steger added eight points.

Brewer will meet Center Point (14-13) who defeated Etowah 55-32. The game will be played Feb. 18.

Danville 69, Haleyville 63

The Danville Lady Hawks went on the road to Haleyville with their season on the line.

The Lady Hawks were led by Kayla Compton who scored 23 points and eight assists while Jolee Cole finished with 22 points as they defeated the Haleyville Lady Lions 69-63.

Danville (18-8) got 13 points from Compton and 10 from Cole as they trailed 34-33 at halftime.

The Lady Hawks hit four three-pointers, including three from Madelyn Holladay, and outscored Haleyville 21-15 in the third quarter to take a 54-49 lead into the fourth.

Cole scored eight points in the final quarter to help the Lady Hawks hold on to win by six.

Haleyville (14-16) was led by Allie Temple who finished with a game-high 24 points, while Catie Aldridge added 15 and Molly Gilbert had 11.

Holladay finished with 14 points while Madison Cartee added eight for the Lady Hawks.

“Kayla and Jolee just straight up refused to lose last night,” Danville Head Coach JJ Hill said. “Haleyville is a good team and it’s a tough place to play but they weren’t intimidated one bit. They led their team like seniors looking to get to regionals three out of their four years are supposed to.”

“They weren’t phased by the gravity of a lose and go home game, in fact, I think it fueled them,” Hill said. “They are a special duo.”

With the win, Danville heads to Wallace for the third time in four years. They will meet Deshler (21-9) who defeated West Limestone 67-46. The game will tip at noon.