Tharptown boys prevail in shootout

By Staff
Mike Self, FCT Sports Editor
Tyler Cagle had 23 points and Jacob Parker added 22 on Friday as Tharptown avenged its worst loss of the season with a 93-83 win over visiting Paint Rock Valley.
Tharptown had lost to Paint Rock by 56 points at a tournament over the Thanksgiving holiday, but the Wildcats would not be denied on Friday.
They out-scored Paint Rock 23-11 in the third quarter to open up a double-digit lead and then iced the game by making 25-of-32 free throws in the fourth quarter.
The Wildcats finished the night an astounding 40-of-55 at the foul line.
"Our guys really took it right at them, and we got them in foul trouble early," Tharptown coach Jonathan Odom said. "Obviously, with the score being 93-83, it was a very fast-paced game. The biggest thing we did tonight was take better care of the ball.
"I'm proud of our guys. Once we got the lead, they started to believe they could win. From that point on, they just played harder and harder."
Manny Ricardo had 16 points for Tharptown, and Mackinley Flannagin added 11.
In other action on Friday:
Varsity girls
Tharptown 72 Paint Rock Valley 30
Chelsey McCluskey had 20 points to lead the Lady Wildcats, who halted a three-game losing streak with Friday's rout.
Laken Barnett added 19 points for Tharptown (6-5), which led 19-7 after one quarter and 34-13 at the half.
Jessica Myrick finished with 12 points, and Autumn Hatton had nine. Hollie Hines added seven.
Hope Prince led Paint Rock with 13 points.
Tharptown will return to action on Thursday at Hazlewood.