By Staff
Lady Panthers prevail over Russellville girls 58-53
Kim West
Franklin County Times
FLORENCE – Class 2A Mars Hill stayed with Russellville – the only undefeated team in 5A – for one quarter before the No. 4 Golden Tigers clawed back to earn an 87-75 victory Friday night.
Mars Hill held a two-point lead at the end of the first quarter but Russellville reeled off a 27-10 run in the second to lead 41-26 at halftime.
The Panthers outscored Russellville 27-26 in the third but the Golden Tigers still led 67-53 and hung on for the win in the fourth despite being outscored 22-20.
Siran Winston led Russellville (17-0) with 25 points, while Jordan Hammond had a season-high 20 and Terence Smith added 18. Cory Trapp scored 12, Micah McCulloch had eight and Mark Davis tossed in four.
Josh Pearson and Mitchell Barnes each had 19 points, while David Gilchrist added 17 for Mars Hill (13-7).
Mars Hill 58
Russellville 53
The Russellville varsity girls came up a little short in a back-and-forth game with Mars Hill Friday night.
The Lady Panthers outscored Russellville 13-9 in the final quarter to win 58-53 in a non-area game.
Russellville led 15-14 after the first quarter but Mars Hill held a four-point advantage at halftime to lead 29-25.
Russellville cut Mars Hill's lead to 45-44 entering the fourth, but the Lady Panthers used to 13-9 run to seal the victory.
Tasha West had a game-high 20 points for the Lady Golden Tigers, while Erin Reynolds had 12 and Janarie Donley added seven. Victoria Taylor and Ayanna McCullough scored five apiece, while JaLesa Hamilton finished with four points.
Sarah Bailey paced Mars Hill with 18 points, while Baylee Jeffrey had 15 and Darby Rappuhn added 13.
The Russellville varsity teams will resume Class 5A, Area 16 action at Cullman 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.