RHS teams fall to Athens, Hamilton
The Russellville High School varsity basketball teams wrapped up regular season play with a trip to Athens to take on the Golden Eagles, followed by boys’ and girls’ home games against the Hamilton Aggies.
BOYS
Russellville’s boys fell to Athens by a final score of 68-51 Feb. 2.
AHS got off to a fast start and held a 21-10 advantage at the end of the first quarter. The Golden Eagles then grew their lead to 40-26 at the half and were ahead by a 56-40 total going into the game’s final quarter of play.
Russellville got scoring from six different players. Jeb Bishop had the most points for RHS with 23. Brooks Scott also scored in double figures for Russellville with 10.
The Hamilton Aggies came to Russellville to finish up the regular season schedule, and the Aggies completed the sweep of RHS for this season on the basketball court with a 74-65 win.
A 20-13 third period helped HHS pull away after the two teams battled to a 19-16 first quarter led by Hamilton and a second period in which Russellville outscored the Aggies 19-18.
Three RHS players scored in double figures, with Bishop leading the way again with 23 points. Eli Gipson had 17, and Chandler Dyas scored 12.
Russellville (14-7) will host the championship game of the Class 5A, Area 15, tournament Feb. 12 against the winner of the Lawrence County-West Point first round contest.
GIRLS
The Lady Golden Tigers also faced stiff competition on the court to finish up the regular season. First, Top 10 in Class 6A Athens defeated Russellville by a score of 49-32.
AHS led 11-6 after the first quarter of action, and the Golden Eagles were ahead 18-12 at the half.
A strong third quarter, in which Athens outscored RHS by a 19-9 total, helped the Golden Eagles pull away.
Jenna Whitfield led Russellville in scoring with nine. Leah Rushing added eight, and Jacey Moore scored six. Jayna Poss had four, Anna Beth Oliver had three, and Avery Watts scored two.
A highly-talented 4A team from Hamilton came to Russellville to finish the regular season, and the Aggies won by a 70-55 score.
Russellville (3-19) managed four first-quarter points, while Hamilton had 19. Hamilton went on to lead 36-17 at the half and 58-31 after three quarters.
