Bobcats run past rival Hackleburg

By Staff
Mike Self, FCT Sports Editor
HACKLEBURG – A nine-day layoff may have been the perfect remedy for Phil Campbell's early-game ills.
The Bobcats, playing for the first time since November 17, avoided the slow start that troubled them in their first three games, scoring early and often on Monday in an 83-35 rout of rival Hackleburg.
All 11 players scored for Phil Campbell (3-1), which took control early with a 15-0 run and never looked back.
"We made a shot or two early, which we hadn't been doing," said Bobcat coach Gary Odom, whose team fell behind by double digits early in two of its first three games. "We got a chance to get out and run a little bit tonight, and we shot the ball well.
"This was one of those nights when everybody had a smile on their face. It wasn't a job tonight; it was fun."
The Bobcats, who prefer to play at a breakneck pace, kept the pedal to the metal from start to finish on Monday. They ran their fast break off turnovers, missed shots, and even made baskets.
Several times the Panthers scored and were unable to get back down the floor in time to set up their defense before Phil Campbell was firing away yet again.
"We like to push the ball as much as possible," Odom said. "Tonight was good for us, because we actually were able to do some of the things we've been working on in practice."
Hackleburg led 6-3 in the game's opening minutes before a basket by Caleb Thompson got the Bobcats rolling. Chase Hutcheson scored six early points, and a basket by Jay Steward capped off Phil Campbell's big run and made it 18-6 with 1:40 left in the first quarter.
Even when the Bobcats missed in the early going, it worked out well for them. Brett Thomas failed to finish off a three-point play opportunity with 10 seconds left in the opening quarter, but teammate Tanner Maddox rebounded the missed free throw. Maddox kicked the ball back out to Thomas, who nailed Phil Campbell's fourth trey of the game just before the buzzer to make it 28-13.
Seven different players scored in a 16-1 run by the Bobcats to open the second quarter, and Odom's squad led 46-19 at the half.
Hutcheson finished with 16 points to lead Phil Campbell, and Steward added 13. Thomas had 11, and Maddox and Thompson each added nine.
Maddox made three of the Bobcats' 10 three-pointers on the night.
Jonathan Dill finished with seven points, and Stephen Lacey had five. Chris Baker and Josh Wilson each added four, Tate Canida had three, and James Eric England had two.
Phil Campbell was scheduled to visit Class 2A, Area 16 rival Cherokee on Tuesday and will host Shoals Christian on Thursday.