By Staff
Kim West
MUSCLE SHOALS – The third time wasn't the charm for the Muscle Shoals varsity boys as No. 4 Russellville came back to beat the tenth-ranked Trojans 65-60 in front of a sold-out crowd Friday night.
Russellville previously beat Muscle Shoals at home earlier this month and also in the TimesDaily Classic tournament championship game in December.
The Golden Tigers (18-0, 4-0 Class 5A, Region 8) trailed 35-31 at halftime before making a 13-9 run in third quarter to lead by three. Nate Dunstan, who was playing in his first game this season after breaking his wrist, scored all seven of his points during the third.
The Trojans (16-7, 2-2) held Cory Trapp, Russellville's top 3-point threat, scoreless in the first three quarters but Trapp sprung loose and scored 10 of the Golden Tigers' 18 points in the final period.
Siran Winston led Russellville with 24 points, while Terence Smith had 14. Jordan Hammond tossed in eight points, ande Tucker Hammock chipped in two.
Four Muscle Shoals players scored in double figures as Warrick Masterson and Matt Creel each finished with 16 points. The Trojans' leading scorer, Ralston Turner, finished with 12 points, and Harold Clay added 11.
Muscle Shoals 55
Russellville 51
The Muscle Shoals varsity girls came from behind late in the fourth quarter to defeat Russellville 55-51 Friday night.
Russellville held a commanding -point lead with less than two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. But Muscle Shoals used back-to-back 3-point plays to get back in the game, and the Lady Golden Tigers missed four key free throws in the final period.
Tasha West led Russellville witih 24 points, while Erin Reynolds had 10 and JaLesa Hamilton added seven. Janarie Donley and Victoria Taylor each finished with five points.
Jasmine Hammon scored a team-high 23 points, and Jaya Evans added nine for Muscle Shoals.
The Russellville varsity teams have seven regular-season games remaining as the boys attempt to complete the first undefeated season in school history, while the girls fight for their first victory since mid-December.
The Golden Tigers will play at Athens Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. before returning home Friday to host Decatur at 4:30 p.m., and both will count towards area play..