Lady Tigers lose heartbreaker to Vestavia Hills

This past Friday night, the Hartselle Lady Tigers lost a 33-32 heartbreaker to 7A Vestavia Hills.

Hartselle entered the game averaging 54.7 points per game, while Vestavia Hills averaged 69. Both defenses were allowing fewer than 34 points per game.

The Lady Rebels opened the game by outscoring Hartselle 9-2 in the first quarter. Four different players scored for Vestavia Hills. The Lady Tigers’ two points came from Masyn Marchbanks at the free-throw line.

Hartselle bounced back in the second quarter with three-pointers by Gracie Hill and Karleigh Shipley and four points from Marchbanks. The Lady Tigers outscored the Lady Rebels 10-5 to cut the lead to 14-12, heading into halftime.

Both defenses continued to dominate the game in the third quarter. The Lady Tigers held Vestavia Hills to four points and got eight points on offense. Hartselle was able to take a 20-18 lead thanks to Alyssa McMinemon. She scored six points and had two crucial blocks. Marchbanks had the Lady Tigers’ other points.

The fourth quarter started with the Lady Tigers extending their lead to six points.

In the last four minutes, the Lady Rebels defense clamped down as they outscored Hartselle by seven to grab the one-point victory, 33-32. Marchbanks had five points in the quarter. Shipley added three, while Hill and McMinemon each had two.

Marchbanks led Hartselle (3-1) with 13 points. She finished with six rebounds, four assists, three steals and three blocks. McMinemon added eight points, six blocks, four rebounds and two steals. Freshman Mary Frances Itsede had seven rebounds and three steals.

Ally Smith had 11 points to lead Vestavia Hills (4-0).