Bears defeat Wildcats at Hatton

J.R. Tidwell/FCT Riley Nolan (4) makes a lay-up on a fast break for Tharptown against Phillips.

The Tharptown Wildcats suffered another disappointing loss Friday night at the Hatton Christmas Tournament, this time at the hands of the Phillips Bears by a final tally of 70-62.

Tharptown kept the game close throughout most of the contest, but a late surge by Phillips kept the Wildcats from overcoming the deficit.

“We had no effort,” Tharptown head coach Jonathan Odom said. “We were kind of feeling sorry for ourselves since we don’t have Kelby [Hallmark].”

Phillips had a 25-24 lead with under a minute remaining in the first half. A missed lay-up by Tharptown with under 10 seconds remaining allowed the Bears to go into the inter mission with a four-point advantage.

Tharptown took the lead at 29-28 early on in the third, but two free throws by Philips gave them the advantage. Riley Nolen hit two free throws of his own, propelling the Wildcats back on top.

Tharptown had a 31-30 lead at the midpoint of the third, with the only two points for the Bears coming off of those free throws.

Phillips rallied to retake the lead by the end of the quarter. The Bears went into a full-court press that caused several Wildcat turnovers, allowing the Bears to go up by their largest lead of the game.

Tharptown continued getting points, but could not overcome Phillips.

“We don’t seem to have anybody that wants to get better,” Odom said.

Kent Allen led Tharptown in scoring with 25 points. Nick long had 18, Nolen had 9, Blake Hargett had 8 and Hayden Fleming had 2.