SOMERVILLE – Friday night saw two of the top-eight teams in all of 6A varsity girls basketball match up in the second and final regular-season meeting between Brewer and Hartselle this season. The Lady Patriots controlled the tempo early and held on for a big 59-50 win.

Hartselle’s Kalli Cartee rises up for a jumper in Friday night’s matchup with regional-rival Brewer.

Brewer (18-4) is currently ranked No. 8 in the AHSAA Class 6A rankings and picked up its third win this week after previously earning victories over Cullman and Decatur. The win over Cullman on Monday wrapped up the regular season area championship for the Lady Patriots giving them home-court advantage in the area tournament in February.

Head coach Ron Smith was reluctant to say that his team is “peaking at the right time” but is certainly encouraged by the way his team is trending in recent weeks.

“I think we are going in the right direction,” Smith said. “We beat some quality teams in the county tournament and in the grand scheme of things tonight might not have meant a whole lot, but it gives us confidence that we can beat a really good team.”

Evaiah Burrows and Shyan Flack led the Lady Patriots with 18 points each. McCarley Northway tallied 11 in the win.

Hartselle (18-5) struggled offensively early to find their range. The Lady Tigers scored just eight points in the opening quarter, falling behind by as many as 17 before closing the gap late. Hartselle fought all the way back to within four points before ultimately falling just short.

Moriah Taylor scored a team-high 16 for the Lady Tigers. Masyn Marchbanks tallied 11 and Lillyanna Cartee scored 10 in the loss.

Justin Jefferies                        Twitter: @JJSports_HE

Hartselle Enquirer