Luke Ward and Kiah Key combined for 36 points in their 58-51 loss to Huffman on Senior Night.
Ward and Key helped the Tigers grab a 5-2 lead to start the game. The Vikings responded with a 7-2 run to take a 9-7 lead.
The Tigers took an 11-10 lead after a 4-1 run that included back-to-back baskets from Ward. The Vikings closed the quarter on a 4-0 run to take a 14-11 lead into the second quarter.
Huffman opened the second quarter by extending that lead to 23-15. The Tigers responded with a 7-0 run, with baskets from Treyce Oden, Rylan Smothers and Ryan Dunn to cut the Vikings’ lead to 23-22.
After a Huffman basket gave the Vikings a 25-22 lead, Key hit a long three-pointer to tie the game at 25-25 heading into the locker rooms.
The teams traded baskets over the first five minutes of the third quarter, with Hartselle holding on to a one-point lead, 36-35. Huffman closed the third quarter with an 8-0 run to take a 43-36 lead into the fourth quarter.
After a Key three-pointer cut the lead to 44-39, the Vikings responded with an 8-1 run to increase their lead to 12 points, 52-40. Hartselle responded with an 11-2 run to cut the Vikings’ lead back down to 54-51 with less than a minute to go.
Huffman, however, closed the game with four straight free throws to seal the 58-51 victory.
Ward finished with 19 points and four rebounds to lead Hartselle. Key added 17 points and eight rebounds. Smothers had five points and three rebounds, while Oden scored four and had four rebounds.
