Tigers, Wildcats cruise past opponents

THARPTOWN — Four boys basketball teams from northwest Alabama met at Tharptown Thursday for the first of several summer play dates.

Red Bay and host Tharptown looked like the best of the group, easily rolling past Waterloo and Colbert County.

Red Bay led Waterloo by four points before the Tigers went on a 21-9 run to close out the first half and cruised to a 72-54 victory. Red Bay then played Colbert County and fell behind 7-0 early.

The Tigers battled back and outscored the Indians 38-15 in the second half to earn a 61-37 victory.

Tharptown also struggled early against Colbert County, but built a 32-27 lead by halftime and never trailed in the second half as the Wildcats pulled away to win 70-51.

Red Bay and Tharptown’s B-teams played with Red Bay earning a 45-33 win in the afternoon game.

The final game of the day featured a close contest between Tharptown and Red Bay that was not decided until the final seconds.

Tharptown led for most of the game, but Red Bay rallied late and held a 62-58 lead with a minute to play. Brett McDowell hit a pair of free throws moments later to extend the lead.

Tharptown’s Nick Long scored with 18.1 seconds remaining to pull the Wildcats within four points and Kelby Hallmark hit a 3-pointer with 5.4 seconds to play to cut Red Bay’s lead to 64-63.

Tharptown was unable to score again and Red Bay held on for the one-point victory.