Priceville’s Kyle Haynes goes for a basket during the game against West Morgan Fri., Feb 5. Haynes scored 17 points and had 5 assists during the game. This win gave PHS a 20-8 season record. | Tammy Haynes

Caleb Suggs

Hartselle Enquirer

It had been just less than two weeks since the Priceville Bulldogs defeated the West Morgan Rebels in the Morgan County championship. In that game, the Bulldogs walked into West Morgan and ended the Rebel’s chances of claiming the county title for the fourth straight year. So when the Rebel’s hosted the Bulldogs once again, they welcomed the opportunity to take revenge for the earlier loss.

The Rebel’s started quick when Keandre Swopes threw in a layup after a steal and pass by Braxton Holland. Noah Fortner and Marc McLendon would connect with back-to-back three-point plays to help Priceville take a 6-2 lead. Gammon Morgan and Parker Henson would cut the lead to 6-5. Priceville would then proceed to go on a big run to end the first quarter. McLendon, Fortner, Kyle Haynes and Austin Smith combined for 15 points as the Bulldogs closed the quarter with a 15-2 run to take a 21-7 lead.

In the second quarter, West Morgan would work on cutting the lead down. Henson and Swopes helped cut the lead to 21-13. However, eight points by Parker Gwin and Aubrey Richardson gave Priceville a 29-15 lead. Five points by Swopes just before halftime would cut the lead to 31-20.

In the second half, West Morgan tried to get back into the game. Henson and Holland both nailed threepointers to cut the lead to 34-26. McLendon would also nail a three-pointer to extend the lead to 37-28. Holland and Morgan would close the quarter with nine points, however, to help cut the lead to 44-39 going into the fourth quarter.

Alex Baker would start the fourth quarter with a three-point play to cut the lead to 44-42. Richardson and Fortner would extend the lead back to 48-42 but a Holland three would cut it back to 48-45. Baker would cut the lead to 48-47 and the place was literally rocking as the Rebels looked to gain their first lead since the very beginning of the game. Keandre Swopes would tie the game at 56-56 and then Parker Henson would tie it again at 58-58 but that would be the closest the Rebels would get as Priceville went on to win the game 64-58.

Player of the game: Kyle Haynes. The senior leader stepped up big. Every time the Rebels would almost take back the lead Haynes would nail a shot to put the Bulldogs back ahead. Haynes finished the night with 17 points.

This win gave Priceville a 20-8 season record.

Priceville Bulldog Marc McLendon also scored his 1000 career point during this game.

Priceville leaders for this game include Haynes with 17 points and five assists, McLendon added 13 points and Fortner added 11 along with 10 rebounds. Parker Gwin had 10 points, Austin Smith added 5 points, Aubrey Richardson added 4 points, Brandon Speegle and McClain Thompson each had 2 points each.

West Morgan leaders included Braxton Holland with 16 points, Parker Henson with 11 points, and Gammon Morgan and Alex Baker with 9 points each. Keandre Swopes added 8 points, Alex Treynum added 3 points and Peyton Smith added 2 points.

The Priceville Bulldogs also defeated the Decatur Red Raiders 63-61 in boy’s varsity action last Tues., Feb. 2 at Priceville High School. This could be the last regular season game played in the gym at Priceville before moving into the new high school.

Kyle Haynes also had a record-setting game. He scored his 1000th career point in this game in his home gym. He finished the game with 1007 career points.

Priceville leaders for the game include Haynes with 22 points, Fortner with 17 points, and Gwin with 12 points. Austin Smith brought in 8 points and Marc McLendon scored 4 points.

Decatur leaders were Tryique Purvis with 19 points, Noah Burroughs with 10 points and Caleb Watkins and Josh Huff with 8 point each.