The Tigers jumped out to a big halftime lead and held off a furious Madison Academy second-half rally to get a one-point win over the Mustangs. 

Hartselle opened the game with a 16-2 run, with Kiah Key netting seven and Rylan Smothers adding four.  

The Mustangs closed the quarter on a 5-1 run to cut the Tigers’ lead to 17-7 heading into the second quarter. 

Hartselle extended that lead to 26-9 midway through the second quarter with a 9-2 run to start. The Mustangs cut the lead with a 4-3 run right before the half to head into the break trailing 29-13.  

Seven different players scored for the Tigers in the first half, led by Kiah Key’s 10 points. 

The Mustangs battled back in the third quarter, outscoring Hartselle 20-14 to cut the Tigers’ lead to 43-33 heading into the final quarter. They continued their rally in the fourth quarter, outscoring Hartselle 25-16.  

A Kohl Key free throw with less than six seconds to go gave the Tigers the cushion for the win, as Madison Academy hit a half-court shot to make the final score 59-58. 

Kiah Key finished with 18 points, six steals, and five rebounds to lead Hartselle (4-4). Ryan Dunn added 13 points, while Kohl Key had seven, and Treyce Oden scored six.