Coach Faron Key talks to his team during a timeout in Hartselle’s 48-40 win over University School of Jackson. Photo by Jim Meadows
LAWRENCEBURG, Tenn. – The Hartselle Tigers (9-6) finished in third place of the Lawrence County (Tenn.) Christmas Tournament purple bracket after picking up two wins over Tennessee teams.
“We played great defensively all week,” Hartselle coach Faron Key said. “We competed hard and grew as a team through some adversity the last couple of weeks. I really like our trajectory right now as we head into the Metro Tournament at Homewood.”
Hartselle 80, Lincoln Co. (Tenn.) 46
The Tigers capped off the Lawrence County (Tenn.) Christmas Tournament with an 80-46 win over Lincoln Co. (Tenn.) Hartselle led 30-10 after the first quarter and 50-23 at halftime.
Kiah Key led four Hartselle players in double figures, finishing with a game-high 17 points. Ty Odom added 14 points, Dawson Seal scored 12 points and freshman Cole Miles had 11. Kai Key also had five rebounds and four assists while Markus Tapscott pulled down eight rebounds.
Jackson Mullins led Lincoln County with 12 points, and Maddox Franklin scored 11.
Columbia Central (Tenn.) 48, Hartselle 44
Hartselle led for much of their game with Columbia Central (Tenn.) before falling in the final minute to the Lions by a score of 48-44. The Tigers led 26-18 at halftime after holding Columbia Central to only seven points in the second quarter.
Ryan Smothers finished with a double-double, 12 points and 12 rebounds, to lead Hartselle. Kiah Key added a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, while brother Kohl had 10 points.
Hartselle 48, University School of Jackson (Tenn.) 40
The Tigers opened the Lawrence County (Tenn.) Christmas Tournament with a 48-40 win over the University School of Jackson (Tenn.) Hartselle led 24-20 at halftime.
Kiah Key finished with 13 points and four steals to lead Hartselle. Kohl Key added 11 points. Thomas Itsede and Rylan Smothers each had eight points. Smothers hauled in seven rebounds.
Brady Smith finished with 15 and Houston Brasfield added 14 for USJ.