Thomas Fleischman tries to dribble by a Cullman defender last week. | Richard Hollingsworth: http://nikonrick.smugmug.com

Hartselle’s boys basketball team may have gotten off to a late start this season, but it was a good one.

The Tigers (2-1, 2-0 in area) opened up the season with back-to-back area wins before falling on the road at Class 3A No. 2 Madison Academy on Monday night.

“You couldn’t ask for a better start than what we had,” said boys coach Keith Wright. “We honored the football team on Tuesday night and got a big area win over Cullman. It was just a great night for our team.”

Alex Wooley shoots over a Cullman defender in the Tigers’ first game of the season. | Richard Hollingsworth: http://nikonrick.smugmug.com/

The Tigers were led by Aaron Wooley’s 15 points in a 47-36 win over Cullman. Timbo Slaton added 10 points and nine rebounds followed by Preston Adams with six points.

Phillip Summerford collected 10 rebounds while Thomas Fleischman added eight rebounds.

On Friday night, the Tigers needed a pair of free throws from Wooley to put Hartselle ahead 42-41 late in the game. On West Point’s final possession, Summerford stole the ball away from the Warriors to preserve the win.

Colesten Thompson prepares to shoot against Cullman on Dec. 6 at home. The Tigers won their first two games. | Richard Hollingsworth: http://nikonrick.smugmug.com/

On Monday night, the Tigers rallied from an early 9-0 deficit to Madison Academy but came up short in the 70-67 loss on the road.

“We got better through the game and made it close, but right now, we’ve played more games than we have had practices,” Wright said. “But it’s still good to be undefeated in area play.”

Timbo Slaten posts up in the paint against a Cullman defender. | Richard Hollingsworth: http://nikonrick.smugmug.com/

Wooley led the Tigers in the loss with 25 points and Preston Adams finished with 13 points. Slaton added a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds followed by Summerford with 5 points and 11 rebounds, Fleischman with 5 points and 4 boards, Prestyn Wallace with 3, Colesten Thompson with 3 and Alex Pettey with 2.

The Tigers will return to action on Friday night when they will travel to Brewer High School and play a makeup game at Muscle Shoals on Saturday.

Allie Roden dribbles the ball around the perimeter while being defended by a Cullman player. The Lady Tigers fell to Cullman 64-44 in their first game and beat West Point 55-46 to improve to 1-1 in area play. Hartselle then traveled to Class 3A No. 3 Madison Academy and lost a close game by the score 47-36. The Lady Tigers will play Brewer Friday, Muscle Shoals Saturday and West Morgan Monday. | Richard Hollingsworth: http://nikonrick.smugmug.com/