Tigers’ season comes to a close with loss at Pinson Valley
Published 8:41 pm Monday, February 20, 2023
The season ended for the Hartselle Tigers this past Tuesday with a 75-47 loss to No. 1 an undefeated Pinson Valley.
The three-point shooting of the Indians was the difference in the game as they hit 14-of-31. The Tigers, who were 5-of-21, were outscored 42-15 from beyond the three-point arc.
Kohl Key gave Hartselle an early three-point lead with a long three-pointer. However, Pinson Valley outscored the Tigers 16-1 the rest of the quarter to take a 16-4 lead into the second quarter.
The Indians continued to pull away from the Tigers over the first four minutes of the second quarter. Pinson Valley extended their lead to 29-8 with a 13-4 run. However, Hartselle responded with an 11-0 run in just under two and a halftime minutes. They cut the Indian’s lead to 29-19 with 1:12 left before halftime. Three-pointers from Ty Odom, Kiah Key and Rylan Smothers powered the run. Who scored five of the Tigers’ 11 points. Pinson Valley led 32-21 at the half after the teams traded baskets to close the first half.
The Indians outscored Hartselle 28-12 in the 3rd quarter to take a commanding 60-33 lead into the final quarter.
Hartselle wouldn’t go down without a fight as they battled back and forth with Pinson Valley in the final eight minutes. The Indians outscored the Tigers 15-14 in the final quarter.
Junior Rylan Smothers finished with 13 points and seven rebounds to lead Nartselle (15-14). Sophomore Markus Tapscott added eight points and nine rebounds.
The high school careers of seniors Ryan Dunn, Thomas Itsede and Kiah Key came to a close following the loss.
Dunn finished with nine points, one rebound and one assist. Itsede added four points, two rebounds and one assist, while Key had five points, five rebounds, one assist and three steals.
“I am proud of how my three seniors battled through the season,” Hartselle coach Faron Key said. “They played with tremendous passion while showing great leadership.”
Besides Kohl Key, Smothers and Tapscott, the Tigers return Ty Odom, Dawson Seal, Cole Miles and Brayden Thomas, who missed the varsity season due to an injury.
