J.R. Tidwell/FCT Belgreen’s Jake Tittle (30) makes a shot over Nick Long (2), Kent Allen (5) and Hayden Fleming (3) of Tharptown.

When the Belgreen and Tharptown boy’s varsity basketball teams play each other, fans pay attention.

The contest between the two teams Friday night was no exception, as the Bulldogs came pulled out a 49-44 victory.

“This was a typical Belgreen/Tharptown event,” Belgreen head coach Greg Watson said. “These games are always close until the end.
Tharptown jumped out to an early lead before Tyler Medina finally put points on the board for Belgreen.

The teams battled back-and-forth all night, but the Bulldogs managed to hold the Wildcats off at arm’s length.

“We played hard,” Tharptown head coach Jonathan Odom said. “Riley Nolen probably had his best game all year tonight. The biggest thing is we know we can compete with them, and we can beat them if we play hard.”

Jake Tittle led the Bulldogs in scoring with 15 points. Chase Landers had 13, Chaney Simmons had 7 and Medina had 6.

Nolen topped the scoring for Tharptown with 15. Kent Allen had 13, Nick Long and Hayden Fleming totaled 7 and Joe LouAllen added 2.