Red Bay boys fall short in season opener

Red Bay senior Kyle Fuller reaches for the ball in Friday’s game against Belmont. Photo by Keith Ledbetter.

By Keith Ledbetter

For the FCT

Red Bay’s varsity boys came up short in their opening game against Belmont Friday night.

After leading 6-0 in the first three minutes of the game, the Tigers ended up falling in a 68-47 loss.

Isaiah Jackson hit a three pointer from the top with just over two minutes remaining in the first quarter to push the Tigers to 10 points. Belmont answered with a three to take an 11-10 lead.

Belmont led 29-20 at the end of the first half, and scored 24 points in the third to go up 53-32 at the beginning of the fourth.

Barry Reach led Red Bay with 16, Nick Thorn scored eight, Fred Nethery added seven, Isaiah Jackson scored six, Kyle Fuller netted five, Austin Milam added two, Keenan Sparks scored in two and Tate Ozbirn scored one.

“We have a great group of kids,” Red Bay boys’ head basketball coach Matt Noah said.

“They came out with just a few practices, and played their hearts out. They never quit.”

Red Bay will open area play at home against Colbert Heights on December 3.