TOUGH LOSSES
The Russellville Golden Tigers take on West Point on the road, eventually falling 55-51.
By Brannon King for the FCT
Florence 74, Russellville 46 (Boys)
The Florence Falcons proved to be too much for the Golden Tigers Tuesday night in Russellville. The loss dropped the Golden Tigers to 6-10 on the season.
Russellville trailed at the end of the first quarter, 20-11. Joshua Seal had six of the 11 first period points for the Golden Tigers.
The Falcons, who were led by the duo of Coffee and Carroll, pulled away in the second half and never looked back. Russellville trailed 38-22 at the half and 57-36 at the end of three quarters.
The Golden Tigers were led in scoring by Avery Sears, who had 12 points. Others scoring for Russellville were Joshua Seal (11), Adonnis Bailey (9), Austin Stidham (8), Lucas McNutt (3), Nate Franklin (2) and Kamar Baugh (1).
West Point 55, Russellville 51 (Boys)
The Golden Tigers went to West Point Friday night for a key Class 5A Area 14 battle against the Warriors.
Russellville had a shot to tie the game late, but a three-pointer was no good, and West Point claimed the emotion-filled game. The Golden Tigers were faced with the task of trying to grab the late comeback win without Adonnis Bailey and Austin Stidham, who fouled out in the final quarter, and Taylor Vincent, who was injured in the third quarter and did not return to action. Avery Sears also was injured in the fourth quarter but battled through it to lead the Golden Tigers on both ends of the floor.
“We battled so much foul trouble and injuries in the second half that it made things very difficult, but I’m very proud of our guys. That’s probably the hardest and most together we’ve played all year,” Russellville head coach Patrick Odom said.
Avery Sears led Russellville in scoring with 21 points. “He was fantastic. It’s easy to say that because he scored 21, but his defense was every bit as good as his offense tonight; he was a complete basketball player,” Odom added.
Other players scoring for Russellville were Adonnis Bailey (9), Taylor Vincent (8), Joshua Seal (7), Austin Stidham (4) and Devin Buckhalter (2).
Florence 57, Russellville 54 (Girls)
The Lady Golden Tigers hung right with the Lady Falcons but couldn’t grab the victory.
Russellville outscored Florence in the first (10-6) and fourth quarters (19-16), but a strong 20-point second period helped the Lady Falcons. Russellville played with good energy to start the game, and four different players scored in the opening quarter.
Aleshia Phillips had 12 points in the game to lead Russellville. She was followed by Megan Brockway (11), Patricia Borden (8), Tia Smith (7), Madison Murray (7), Tristin Thomas (3), Carley Seal (3) and Kallie Allen (3).
Russellville 65, West Point 31 (Girls)
The Lady Golden Tigers had a big win over the Lady Warriors Friday night on the road.
Ten players scored for Russellville. The Lady Golden Tigers led at the end of the first quarter, 16-4, and outscored West Point 24-6 in the third. Kallie Allen had 15 points on the night, and Megan Brockway pitched in with 12 for Russellville.
“I hope we keep that kind of momentum,” Russellville head coach Brooke Long said after the game. “It feels like we are starting to come together as a unit at the right time. I just hope we keep it going.”
Patricia Borden (8), Devin Jones (8), Madison Murray (5), Carley Seal (5), Madison Hargett (5), Aleshia Phillips (3), Tristin Thomas (2) and Tia Smith (2) all scored for Russellville.
