By Staff
Charles Prince, Hartselle Enquirer
The Athens Lady Golden Eagles used a 17-9 run in the second half of play to pull away from the Brewer Lady Patriots and post a 54-46 win in a battle of ranked teams.
Athens, the No. 9 team in Class 5A, handed No. 7 Brewer its fifth loss in 17 games this season.
Brewer's Courtney Scott tied the game at 32 with two minutes left in the third period. Athens then started its decisive run by hitting 11 straight shots from the foul line.
The Lady Golden Eagles took their largest lead of the game with 1:07 left when India Wood sank a jumper from the right side.
The Lady Patriots fought back to pull within four at 50-46 when sophomore Nichole Hayes sank a three-point basket with 23 seconds left. Athens would convert four more free throws in the final 19 seconds to seal their victory.
Fouls took their toll on Brewer, as well.
Brewer was whistled for 23 fouls on the night while Athens was called for only 10 fouls.
Brewer coach Ricky Allen said his team had a bad night in all areas.
"We didn't shoot well tonight, we didn't play defense well," Allen said. "We just didn't play well tonight. We lost two post players to injury recently and we are not adjusting well to playing without them."
Jessica Thompson lead Brewer with 13 points followed by Whitney Childers with 11.
Andrea Crawford scored seven, Courtney Scott had six and Nichole Hayes added three points. Brittney Childers, Heather Gore and Joellen Nay scored two points each.
Athens boys 73, Brewer 60
Richard Hendrix dominated inside for the Golden Eagles as they whipped the Patriots 73-60 Friday night.
Hendrix scored 18 points, grabbed 22 rebounds and blocked eight Brewer shots for Athens.
Athens lead 36-29 at half time but put the game away with an 18-10 run in the third period.
Brewer slipped to 9-9 overall and 1-4 in 5A-Area 15 play. Senior Dustin Scott led Brewer with 22 points.
Matt Cobbs and Matt Eslick scored eight each, while Austin Mooney and Matt Nielson both added six points. Travis Boyd and Jeremy Way scored three while Wes Graham and Robert Shelton added two points each.