DECATUR – In front of a raucous crowd on the campus of Austin High School, the Hartselle varsity boys held a lead until the final four minutes, but ultimately saw their season come to an end with a 48-35 loss to Austin on Wednesday night.

The game plan for Hartselle was to control the pace and not allow the Black Bears to get out in transition. That plan was executed brilliantly in the first half as Austin was held to just six points through the opening two quarters. It was much of the same in the third quarter as the Tigers held a 25-22 lead heading into the final frame.

From there, the depth and athleticism of Austin made a few more plays as the Black Bears exploded for 26 points in the fourth quarter en route to the double-digit win.

“The little plays cost us in the fourth quarter,” said Hartselle head coach Faron Key. “We missed some free throw blockouts and turned it over a few times that gave them some momentum when we had the lead.”

Hartselle senior Trace Hill scored 15 points in his final game in a Tiger uniform. Key says Hill, along with fellow senior Auston Howard, certainly impacted the program and gave their teammates an example to look up to going into next season.

“Trace has been one of the key guys since I got here,” Key said. “He has an unmatched work ethic. Howie gets no credit for anything that he does. I have such respect for how he led this team inside the locker room and how he was willing to play any role to help us win. We will miss them both, but I hope the guys coming back were looking up to them and will follow their example.”

Hartselle finishes the season with a 14-15 record, going 7-7 in games decided by two possessions or less.

Justin Jefferies @JJSports_HE

Sports Editor

Hartselle Enquirer