By Mike Mayfield. Russellville’s Colton Hargett shoots for two in the Golden Tigers’ final game of the season on Saturday.

By Mike Mayfield

For the FCT

The Russellville Golden Tigers varsity boys’ basketball team ended their season Saturday night in the first round of the area tournament at Athens High School.

The Golden Tigers battled against a superior Athens team, the number one seed in the tournament, losing with a final score of 87-31.

The Golden Tigers fell behind early in the game and were never able to catch the Athens Golden Eagles. The Eagles, ranked at number 3 in the state in 5A, proved to be too strong for a young Golden Tiger team.

Coach Smith said that he is proud of his team’s effort in what has been a rebuilding year for the Tigers and he is looking forward to next season.

The Tigers played team basketball with eight different Golden Tigers scoring in the game. Junior Tyler Willis led with 12 points, all from outside the three-point line. Freshman Austin Stidham scored right points and sophomore Adonis Bailey scored six for the Tigers.

Also scoring for the Tigers were Chris Owens with four points, Colby Tompkins, Reed Smith and Colton Hargett with two points each, and Christian Foster contributed one point to the effort.