Tharptown earns school’s first trip to Wallace State
By Bart Moss
Tharptown’s first trip to the sub-regional round of the state playoffs will be a memorable for the varsity boys team.
It was a back-and-forth affair with 25 lead changes or ties until the Wildcats took control midway through the fourth quarter and pulled away for a 71-60 victory against Shoals Christian.
With the win Tharptown clinches the first trip to the Northwest Regional Tournament in school history.
“This is just a great feeling. It is a great win for these kids, this school, and this community,” said Tharptown coach Jonathan Odom. “To be the first to do something this school has never done will be something these kids will remember for the rest of their lives. I couldn’t be more proud of them.”
The Wildcats led 17-16 at the end of the first quarter. Shoals Christian led 32-31 at halftime and 48-46 at the end of the third quarter.
Kelby Hallmark gave Tharptown the lead for good with 4:03 remaining in the game. Wesley Borden padded the lead with a 3-pointer and Nick Long put the game away by scoring six consecutive points for the Wildcats.
Tharptown had four players reach double-digit scoring, led by Long with 18 points and Hallmark with 15 points. Jacob Parker scored 14 points while Borden finished with 13 points.
“Nick Long had a great inside for us tonight. He has improved all year long. Kelby had another great game scoring and handling the ball,” Odom said. “Wesley hit some critical three’s and, Jacob really stepped it up tonight.”
Also scoring for the Wildcats were Cody Cagle (4), Rile Hughes (4), Wade Berryman (2) and Kent Allen (1).
Tharptown advances to the Northwest Regional Tournament to play top-ranked Pickens County at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville.
Odom knows it will be a tough challenge for his team, but right now he wants them to enjoy the win against Shoals Christian.
“I know we are going to be fighting an uphill battle. Pickens County is one of the top 10 teams in the state 1A through 6A, but we are going to Wallace,” Odom said. “We will be there and that’s all you can ask for. We will go compete and do our very best. I just want our guys to enjoy the moment and savor what they have accomplished for this school.”
