The Hartselle Lady Tigers opened 6A Area 14 play this past Friday by getting a statement win over Cullman on the Lady Bearcats’ home court.

“It was a total team effort,” Hartselle coach Amber Deline said. “I thought everyone played well. It was a big win with it being our first area game and it being at Cullman.”

The Lady Bearcats scored the game’s first points, but Hartselle responded with a 12-2 run to take a 12-4 lead. Gracie Hill scored the Lady Tigers’ first eight points of the game. Hartselle led 15-6 going into the second quarter.

The Lady Tigers opened the second quarter on a 9-0 run to build a 24-6 lead. Hill added eight points in the second quarter run. The teams played even the rest of the way, with Hartselle taking a 32-14 lead into halftime.

After a Cullman basket to open the third quarter, the Lady Tigers went on an 18-3 run to extend their lead to 50-19 going into the final quarter. The Lady Bearcats outscored Hartselle 14-7 in the last quarter to make the final score 57-33.

The Lady Tigers’ defense had 13 steals, forced 17 turnovers, and held Cullman 21 points below their scoring average. They held the Lady Bearcats’ leading scorer, Ava McSwain, to just two points.

“I was proud of our defense, especially Emma Roden who set the tone for us defensively,” Deline said.

Gracie Hill finished with 23 points to lead Hartselle (14-6, 1-0).

“Gracie had a great night shooting the ball and played confidently,” Deline said.

Anna Hampton Burroughs added 10 points and two steals. Karleigh Shipley had six points, three assists and three steals.

Mary Francis Itsede had four points and nine rebounds. She had a huge night on the boards according to Deline.

Ally Sharpe scored 10 points for Cullman, while Carly Mills scored six points.