Bobcats lose to Lauderdale Co.
ROGERSVILLE — All the Lauderdale County girls basketball team needs to do is look at the banners in the rafters of Sinyard Gymnasium, check out the wellstocked trophy case or hear the cheers and/or groans of its fans.
At this time of year, once the regular season ends and the playoffs kick into gear, there’s only one status acceptable for the Tigers. They have to still be playing.
Lauderdale County checked a lot of boxes with Friday’s 38-31 home win over Phil Campbell, continuing several traditions among the Tigers.
First, it sealed a trip to the Northwest Regional, the 30th berth in 31 seasons for Lauderdale County. The exception? In 2011, the Tigers lost in a subregional and finished 28-6. Second, the Tigers reached 20 wins, a level they’ve now hit 37 times in 38 years. The exception? In 2019, Lauderdale County finished 18-15, though it played for the Northwest Regional title.
This year, there are no such issues.
The Tigers (20-9) used a fourth-quarter flurry to down the Bobcats (1517) and set their path to Hanceville.
Lauderdale County will play Vinemont on Wednesday at either 9 a.m. or noon.
On Friday, the Tigers hit their marks by holding the Bobcats to two fourth-quarter points.
Thomas scored twice in a 10-second span early in the period to give Lauderdale County the lead. Clara Freeman sank four free throws in the final 1:15.
Leela Baker, who led the Bobcats with 13 points, scored Phil Campbell’s final points with 5:56 remaining.
Freeman finished with 16 points after scoring 18 last week in Lauderdale County’s playoff opener. She didn’t score in double figures in 26 regular-season games.
Lauderdale County boys 75 Phil Campbell 34 Jayden Sears and Calvin Watkins scored 15 points each for the Tigers (24-5). Asa Butler added 13.
Austin Elliott’s 13 points paced the Bobcats (17-13).
Lauderdale County will play Wednesday in the 3A Northwest Regional semifinals in Hanceville. The Tigers missed the last two regionals after making seven straight appearances 2017-23.
