Career night for Hartselle in 103-62 win over Columbia
The Hartselle Tigers had a career night in their 103-62 win over visiting Columbia Dec. 17. The 103 points are the most a Faron Key team has scored during his time at Hartselle, besting the 101 points in a triple-overtime win at Athens during the 2016-17 season.
“I am really proud of my team following the start of this season after the schedule we have played,” said Key. “Every player contributed to this win tonight. It was a great team win.”
In the first quarter, the Tigers hit six three-pointers to outscore the Eagles 33-10. Luke Ward hit three three-pointers and finished the quarter with 13 points, and Kiah Key added seven.
The teams battled back and forth in the second quarter, with each team scoring 20 points to make the score 53-30 at halftime. Treyce Oden led the Tigers with eight points, while Kohl Key netted five, including three on the Tigers’ only three-pointer of the quarter.
Hartselle set season-highs of 33 points in a quarter and 53 in a half. All seven Tiger players who saw action in the first half scored and pulled down a rebound.
The Tigers increased their lead to 80-43 following the third quarter, which saw Hartselle score 27 points. Kohl Key led the way with 10 points in the quarter, while Dominic Simmons added seven.
Hartselle eclipsed the 100-point mark when Simmons scored on a layup with about a minute to go in the game. He finished the quarter with eight points, while Brayden Thomas hit two threes in the closing minutes for six points.
Four players had career-highs in points, including Kohl Key, who scored a team-high 21 points. He also had five rebounds, three assists and a steal.
“This game does a lot for my confidence,” said Kohl Key. “I knew I was capable of more for the team, and tonight showed that.”
Simmons finished with 17 points, a career high, and six rebounds, while Treyce Oden added a career-high 12 points and five rebounds. Thomas finished with six points in his first varsity game.
Kiah Key finished with his fifth double-double of the season, 13 points and 11 rebounds. Ward added 15 points and six assists.
