The memorable and successful 2023-2024 high school basketball season came to an end for the Russellville Golden Tigers in the semi-finals of the boys’ Northwest Regional at Wallace State with a 74-43 loss to the Ramsay Rams.

Russellville (18-7) struggled against the Ramsay team, and the Golden Tigers were trailing 18-11 after the first quarter of action and 40-23 at the half. During the contest, RHS uncharacteristically went 2-for-18 from three-point range and shot 39 percent from the field. Ramsay shot at a 50 percent mark, making 32 of 64 shots from the field, and the Rams also picked up 18 steals on defense.

EJ King led Russellville with 21 points, and KJ Murray followed with 14. Jah Williams and Bralynn Vincent also scored for RHS, adding four points apiece. Ramsay (23-8) was led by Jayden Williams’ 24 points and six steals. Jeremiah Ford added 11 points and JaQuille Malone also scored in double-figures with 10. Multi-sport athlete and future University of Alabama football linebacker Quinton “QB” Reese had eight points, six rebounds and five steals for the Rams.

Amir Williams, Mike Young, KJ Murray, Gavin Hyde, Bralynn Vincent and Malachi Duncan are the six seniors on the roster this year for Russellville, and they all played key roles on the team and will be missed.
“They are special,” Russellville head coach Patrick Odom said. “From ninth grade up, they’ve known nothing but cutting down area tournament nets. The success and championships and all that is great, but they are better young men than they are basketball players, and that’s probably what I’m most proud of.”

A large group of RHS supporters made the trip to Hanceville for the Friday morning game at Traditions Bank Arena at Wallace State.

“We’re very blessed to be at a place that is passionate and supports our guys,” Odom said. “Right before we took the floor, I could see it in the hallway, it was just a sea of black and gold, and that’s what makes it fun.”

Next for Ramsay will be a matchup versus the top-ranked Fairfield team that defeated Madison Academy in the other semi-final.