By Staff
Nick Johnston, Hartselle Enquirer
An early timeout by head coach Greg Adams may have set the tone for the entire game.
Hartselle used runs of 9-0 in the first quarter and 12-0 in the third quarter to beat visiting Cullman 61-36.
But early on, Cullman got out to a 3-0 lead and Adams called a timeout and met his starting five halfway onto the court.
"We came out flat," Adams said. "I got on them pretty hard in that timeout, but I knew they (Cullman) had the potential to upset us. After that, our defensive intensity really took over."
Not only was the defense more intense, but the offense also picked up, as Hartselle outscored Cullman 15-4 for the rest of the first quarter.
The Lady Tigers led 32-17 at halftime and pulled out to a 46-21 lead with 2:55 remaining in the first quarter.
Four Lady Tigers got in double figures, with Lauren Drake scoring 17, Shan Jones 13, Mary Virginia Reeves 11 and Jessica Lindsey adding 10.
Bradshaw 63, Hartselle 52
The Lady Tigers had seen Mamie Rutheford and Star Orr, but neither compared to Whitney Boddie, according to Adams.
"She's the best player we've seen," Adams said of the junior. "She'll be the number one player in the state next year."
Boddie scored 33 in the win, but Hartselle stayed close late in the fourth quarter. HHS cut the lead to six before falling by nine.
Jones had 15 points, Reeves had 11 and Drake had 10 points and 11 rebounds.
Hartselle 61
Muscle Shoals 35
There never was a doubt in the 26-point win.
"We beat them soundly," Adams said. "I was pleased we came out and played so well."
Reeves and Jones both scored 14 points and Drake had 13. Jessica Lindsey ended the night nine points.