By Staff
Staff Reports, Hartselle Enquirer
The Hartselle Tigers won their first area game of the season after four tries with a 57-54 win over visiting Russellville Friday night.
Hartselle would never hold more than a five-point second half cushion, as the game remained close throughout.
"We played more like we wanted to win instead of playing like we didn't want to lose," head coach Johnny Berry said. "This was a good showing by several guys, who stepped up and knocked down big shots.
"At some point tonight we knew our seniors would have to pull this win out. It's a good win. It wasn't very pretty, but who cares. A win is a win."
The Tigers trailed by two at halftime, but quickly took the lead in the second half thanks to the scoring of Keith Rodgers, who scored a game-high 18 points.
Berry sang the praises of the high scorer after the game.
"Keith Rodgers played his guts out tonight," Berry said. "We told him before the game they couldn't guard him and it proved to be the case."
Eric Norwood added 10 more for the Tigers, followed by Chase Lusk with nine, Loren Grantland with seven, Daxton Maze with three and Alex Thompson scored one point.
Hartselle improved to 7-12 overall and 1-3 in area play.
Sneaky Pete's Classic
The Tigers took on Calera High in the Sneaky Pete's Classic at UAB on Jan. 17.
The Tigers fell, 72-49, as Calera's George Drake scored 39 points and grabbed six rebounds.
Drake, a Vanderbilt signee, was 13-of-21 from the field and 11-of-16 from the line as he dominated play.
Hartselle was lead by Rodgers with 23, followed by Steven Chop with seven, Nick Flannigan with six, while Lusk, Holmes, Grantland, Thompson, Gary Orr and Art Daves had two points each. Massey scored one point.
Hartselle slipped to 7-13 on the season.
The Tigers next see action Friday night in the Morgan County Tournament boy's semi-finals against the winner of the West Morgan and Priceville game from Tuesday night. Due to an early deadline the result was not available.