Golden Tigers battle Brooks, Lawrence County, flu
By Brannon King / For the FCT
The Russellville High School basketball teams battled two familiar opponents last week – and also tried to dodge the winter weather and the flu at the same time.
The Golden Tigers took on Class 5A, Area 16 opponents Brooks and Lawrence County, with both schools visiting RHS in key games.
The contests against Lawrence County were moved up a day and were played Thursday night because of the threat of winter weather forecasted for the following day. The boys’ team faced Brooks Tuesday night without Lucas McNutt, who missed his second-straight game with the flu. He returned Thursday, but girls’ head coach Corey Thomaston missed the game as he continued to fight the flu himself.
The weather won again Saturday, as games scheduled against Winfield were postponed.
The Russellville girls continued their improved play as of late with a 37-35 win over Brooks Tuesday night. Madison Hargett led the way with 15 points for RHS. Treyvia Pruitt had eight, and Madison Murray scored six. Fallyn Cox scored four for Russellville, Jamie Hill had three, and Lexie Glass scored one point.
A good second half helped Russellville on their way to victory. Brooks led at the half by a 23-15 score, but the lead was trimmed to one after three quarters. RHS outscored the Lions by three points in the final frame.
Pruitt scored 16 points against Lawrence County to lead Russellville to a 65-32 win over the Lady Red Devils. Russellville (8-14, 3-2) got scoring from seven different players in the victory. Murray with 13 points, Autumn Logan with 12 and Hargett with 11 also scored in double figures. Hill had nine, while Krista Sikes and Glass pitched in with two points each. RHS assistant coach Jermaine Groce filled in for Thomaston on the bench.
Russellville led 31-17 at the half and pulled away in the fourth quarter by outscoring Lawrence County 23-5 in the final period of play.
The Lady Golden Tigers have won five of their last six games and still have one regular season area game remaining on the schedule, a trip to East Limestone.
On the boys’ side, the Golden Tigers are struggling to get things turned around. RHS lost games against Brooks (66-56) and Lawrence County (66-57) to remain winless in area play.
The Golden Tigers (4-13, 0-5) have lost six straight games but continue to give good effort and are battling to correct their mistakes.
An undefeated Brooks squad came to RHS Tuesday night and was too much for Russellville. RHS outscored the Lions 15-9 in the second quarter to draw to within two points at the half, but BHS pulled away in the second half of play.
Devin Buckhalter had 18 points to lead Russellville. He was followed by Calen Bragwell (8), Logan Jones (8), Caden Parker (8), Brock Malone (8), Houston Kitterman (4) and Brooks Scott (2).
Lawrence County came to town Thursday night and took the game in the second half. RHS outscored the Red Devils 20-10 in the second quarter and held a 34-28 halftime advantage but couldn’t hold on.
Lucas McNutt returned and led Russellville with 21 points. Buckhalter had 16, and Chandler Dyas scored six. They were followed by Kitterman (5), Bragwell (4), Jones (2), Parker (2) and Malone (1).
