Caleb Suggs

Hartselle Enquirer

Hartselle Lady Tigers claim back-to-back county titles

It was an exciting night in the packed gym of West Morgan high school as the Hartselle Lady Tigers took on the hosting West Morgan Lady Rebels for the Morgan County championship. Hartselle had just one thing on their mind and that was repeating as county champions for the first time since 1988/89. Meanwhile, West Morgan was intent on preventing that and claiming their first county title since 2010.

Hartselle could not have gotten off to a better start to start the game. The Tigers rushed out to an 11-0 lead behind freshmen Mariah Taylor’s 8 points, 6 of which came from big three pointers. The Rebel’s first points would not come until halfway through the first quarter. However, the Rebels were able to cut the score to 11-6 to end the first quarter behind the shooting of Annie Homan.

Hartselle continued their offensive onslaught in the second quarter. Anna Mathis and Taylor knocked in back-to-back three pointers to make the score 17-6. Taylor would knock in two more to make the score 23-6. The game was getting out of hand fast for the Rebels. Bailey Parrish and Hannah Flack would then combine for 7 points to cut the Tigers lead 23-14 and seemingly put them back in the game. However, the Tigers would push their lead back up just before halftime going on a 6-0 run. Jordan Finn would knock in a breakaway steal and score to make the game 29-14 at the half.

The Tigers would continue to pound the Rebels in the third quarter. Hartselle would shoot their lead up to 36-19 behind the scoring of Finn and Taylor. West Morgan would cut the Tigers lead to 36-22 then proceed to turn up their full court press in an attempt to try to save the game. However, it would be all for naught as the Tigers continued to pad the scoreboard until they felt their lead was good enough that they started to chew off the clock. The Tigers would go on to win the game 60-43 and repeat as county champions for the first time in 26 years.

Player of the game: Mariah Taylor. Taylor started this game on fire and never let up until the Tigers were well ahead. Mariah outscored the Rebels in the first three quarters and scored 19 of the Tigers 29 first half points en route to a 33-point night. What was maybe most impressive was that she delivered this stellar performance on the biggest stage she has faced so far in her young career. Taylor also became the first ever freshmen to win the MVP award.