The 2021-22 varsity basketball regular season came to the finish line for the Russellville boys’ and girls’ teams with games at Red Bay and Hamilton as the squads prepare for area tournament play.

The Golden Tigers traveled to Red Bay Jan. 31 to battle their Franklin County neighbors, and the Russellville boys got their second win of the season over RBHS – this time by a 69-67 final score.

Red Bay held a 16-14 first quarter advantage before RHS responded with a 23-20 second period to lead by a point at the half. The two teams played closely in the second half, with Russellville outscoring the Tigers 17-10 in the third quarter before Red Bay came up just short with a 21-15 final period.

Eli Gipson of Russellville led all scorers with 22 points. Amir Williams also scored in double figures for RHS with 13, as did Boots McCulloch and Nathan Brockway with 10 points each. Conner Warhurst followed with eight, Bralynn Vincent scored five, and Malachi Duncan added one point.

In the girls’ game, Russellville also got the second victory over Red Bay this season. This time, the Lady Golden Tigers were able to add to the win column with a 50-37 win.

The two teams were even at the end of the first quarter, with nine points apiece, before RHS outscored Red Bay 11-8 in the second quarter and 15-12 in the third. Russellville’s Ella Copeland led the way in scoring with 13 points, and Jenna Whitfield followed with 12. Avery Watts and Jacey Moore added nine each, Anna Beth Oliver scored three, and Leah Rushing and Jayna Poss added two points apiece.

Russellville wrapped up the regular season Feb. 3 at Hamilton. The RHS girls fell to 9-14 on the year with an 80-49 loss to the Aggies. Hamilton’s Mia Hollingsworth went over the 2,000-point mark in her career and scored 33 points in the game.

In the boys’ game at Hamilton, the Golden Tigers fell to the Aggies by a 72-66 final score. The loss dropped the RHS record on the season to 13-11 heading into post-season play.

Russellville was led in scoring by Gipson’s 20 points. Brockway and McCulloch added 15 apiece, and Duncan had five. Ashton Boyd, Williams and Warhurst followed with three each, and Vincent scored two.