Lady Tigers knock off local rival Phil Campbell in area tournament

Red Bay’s Lady Tigers earned hosting privileges for the 2A AHSAA sub-regional game this past Monday night by knocking off rival Phil Campbell 52-43 in the area tournament Feb 3.

“Our biggest problem was we did a terrible job rebounding,” said Lady Tiger head coach Donnie Roberts.

“If we rebounded and blocked out like we were suppose to do, this wouldn’t have been a close game.”

On Feb. 5 Roberts said that because the game will be played on Feb. 9, he and the Lady Tigers would need to have practice over the weekend.

Red Bay played host on Feb. 2 to the Area 11 #2 team Sumiton Christian High School, who lost to Altamont on Friday.

As a result the Lady Bobcats traveled to Altamont High School on Monday night to face the #1 team in Area 11 for their sub-region game.

Winners will advance to the Regional Tournament at Wallace State Community College Feb. 12-13.

Phil Campbell trailed Red Bay by only five points at the end of the first, second, and third quarters.

Red Bay took a 13-7 lead midway through the first with back-to-back three pointers from Allie Kennedy and Katie Burks.

Phil Campbell’s leading scorer Taylor Pace connected on two-two pointers to cut Red Bay’s lead down to only four, 15-11.

Phil Campbell’s consistent defensive pressure under the goal forced Red Bay to shoot more from the outside that resulted in additional threes during the second quarter.

Burks led off the top of the second with a three pointer, with Hope Cook and Kennedy followed minutes later. Despite Red Bay outscoring Phil Campbell 15-10 in the second, the Lady Bobcats were still in the game and trailing by only five, 32-27, at halftime.

Red Bay stretched their lead to 10 points with just over three minutes remaining in the third, but Phil Campbell outscored Red Bay 8-1 near the end of the quarter and cut their 10 point lead down to only three on a basket from Phil Campbell’s Darby Elliott.

Cook added two free throws for Red Bay to end the quarter with a 39-34 Red Bay lead.

Red Bay outscored Phil Campbell 13-9 in the fourth quarter.

Allie Kennedy led Red Bay with 14 points. Morgan Pierce scored 11, Darby Madden added eight, Hope Cook and Katie Burks scored six each. Hannah McKinney scored five and Holly Hardin added two.

Taylor Pace led Phil Campbell with 17 points, and Darby Elliott and Abby Davis had eight each.

Leah Gunderman had three, Victoria McAlister, Bethany Harris, Courtney Baker had two each for Phil Campbell.

“Our effort was there tonight,” said Phil Campbell Lady Bobcat head coach Craig Thomas.

“We had hustle tonight, our seniors played like they should, and we had some young kids really step for us. Darby Elliott did a real good job.

“Red Bay has good athletes and we tried to match up with them the best we could.”

Thomas, who is in his first year as head coach says the girls have responded well this year.

“They do everything I ask them to do and our senior’s work ethic is really good. It’s been a good year for us, and I’m proud of these girls,” Thomas added.

Thomas also said Thursday night that the Lady Bobcats would need to practice over the weekend to get ready for the Feb. 9 sub-region game.