HOMEWOOD – Hartselle opened the Metro Tournament at Homewood High School with a 55-52 win over a talented Oak Mountain squad. The game was a rematch of last year’s semi-final match-up won by the Eagles by a 49-36 score.

Today’s game was the Tigers’ first since winning at Priceville on Dec. 20th.

“It was great to get back to competing again,” said coach Faron Key. “This was our first game in eight days.”

Brody Peebles scored 11 points in the fourth quarter to help the Tigers hold off the Eagles. He finished with a game-high 23 points.

Hartselle (14-3) led 41-37 after three quarters. The game was 28-28 at halftime.

Jackson Raley added 13 points while Kiah Key knocked down three 3-pointers for nine points. Tad Sivley and Trent Wright each added five points for the Tigers.

Our game had two good teams and two different styles of play. They had 6’10” post with several D1 offers surrounded by shooters at just about every spot,” said Key. “Our guy’s skill, unselfishness, and ability to grind out stops and find some timely buckets was the difference. It took a complete team effort.”

Oak Mountain (9-7) was led by Wilder Evers, who finished with 21 points, while Zane Nelson and Will Shaver each added 11.

Hartselle will meet Vestavia Hills in a semi-final game at 4:00 pm. The Rebels defeated Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa 78-71.