By Staff
Kim West
Deshler, ranked No. 4 in Class 4A, gave Russellville a scare Thursday night, but the Golden Tigers survived with a 75-62 home win to improve to a school-best 25-0.
Russellville, which moved up to second in the state poll earlier this week, trailed early but still led 38-37 at halftime.
Senior point guard Siran Winston sat out most of the second half because of foul trouble and sharpshooter Cory Trapp struggled from long-distance as Deshler stayed close for three quarters. But Russellville used an 18-9 run in the final period to put the game out reach.
Terence Smith, who capably filled in at point guard despite usually playing a post position, scored a team-high 18 points as four Russellville starters finished in double figures.
Winston scored 17 points, while Jordan Hammond and Jermaine Bates each had 12.
Chris Holland topped Deshler (18-6) with a game-high 20 points.
The Russellville boys will close their regular season at home with a 7:30 p.m. game against Colbert County tomorrow. The B-boys game will tip off at 4:30 p.m. and the girls game will immediately follow.