MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL: Hanceville’s boys, Good Hope’s girls win county titles
Published 4:45 pm Tuesday, December 18, 2018
Hanceville’s boys and Good Hope’s girls collected their respective titles following dynamite performances at the Cullman County Middle School Basketball Tournament, which wrapped up play at West Point on Monday.
The top-seeded Bulldogs defeated No. 2 Good Hope 37-28, while the No. 1 Lady Raiders downed third-seeded Parkside 42-17 to take home the championship hardware.
Hanceville held a 20-11 lead at halftime and was able to keep the Raiders at bay during the second half.
Zachary Campbell paced the Bulldogs with a game-high 14 points, while Brayden Harris came away with 12.
Konnor Helms (five), Will Calvert (four) and Braxton Broad (two) also provided buckets.
Brian Munoz, Edgar Avila, Pressley Burtis, Noah Jones, Jake Cornelius and David Springer made up the rest of Hanceville’s roster.
“I am extremely proud of how our guys played all season long,” said coach David Miller, whose Bulldogs clinched their second straight county tournament title. “They worked all season. We knew we would have to give our best each game, and the guys believed in themselves. This is a great group of kids. Good Hope has a great team, and they are very well coached. Coach (Austin) Hardiman does a great job. It was a great, hard-fought championship game.”
The Bulldogs, who were assisted by Paul Glenon, wrapped up the season with a 14-2 record.
K’mal Bell was the top scorer for Good Hope with 10 points.
Colton Lindsey (eight), Colten Whatley (four), Jed Clements (two), Charlie O’Neil (two) and Ethan Edgeworth (two) also contributed for the Raiders.
Good Hope built a 13-2 advantage against the Lady Panthers after the first quarter and never looked back.
Ivey Maddox netted a game-high 17 points, while Heather Tetro also reached double figures with 11 of her own.
Bailey Tetro (five), Marlee Williams (three), Charly Johnson (two), Breanna Arnold (two) and Cayleigh Garmon (two) also contributed for the Lady Raiders in the victory.
Katie Creel, Lillie McCluskey and Emma Bailey comprised the rest of the roster.
“I knew these girls were something special,” first-year coach Natasha Holcombe said. “Throughout the entire season, they continued to work hard every single day and never backed down. Each of my 10 girls contributed in every game we played throughout this season, and I believe that’s how we were able to go 19-1. Their constant support for each other was so much fun to coach, and their passion for the game of basketball is amazing. It was a fun season, and I’m proud of the way these girls were able to finish and bring home county.”
Jayla Gorham paced Parkside, last year’s champion, with a team-high 13 points.
Emma Garcia and Reagan Dunkin capped off the scoring with two points apiece.
The Lady Panthers finished the season with an 18-5 record.
Coaches’ All-County Teams were announced following the end of each matchup.
Girls
Ivey Maddox, Good Hope
Bailey Tetro, Good Hope
Heather Tetro, Good Hope
Alexis Kimbril, West Point
Kristine Shadix, West Point
Ella Bruer, Cold Springs
Malaya Taylor, Cold Springs
Emma Garcia, Parkside
Jayla Gorham, Parkside
Samantha Giles, Holly Pond
Madyson Rickman, Holly Pond
Jaycee Allman, Fairview
Savanna McAnnally, Hanceville
Abby Young, Vinemont
Lilli Martin, Harmony
Boys
Will Calvert, Hanceville
Zachary Campbell, Hanceville
Brayden Harris, Hanceville
K’mal Bell, Good Hope
Colton Lindsey, Good Hope
Charlie O’Neil, Good Hope
Bradley Smith, Fairview
Jameson Goble, Fairview
Chris Owens, West Point
Ashton Rogers, West Point
Isaac Moody, Vinemont
Ryan Stewart, Vinemont
Landon Tweedie, Parkside
Cooper Salazar, Parkside
Gunner McBee, Holly Pond
Dillan Burgess, Cold Springs
Kanen Trussell, Harmony