Lady Tigers win fourth area championship in five years

Coach Gary Orr and his Hartselle Lady Tigers won the Class 6A, Area 14 championship for the fourth time in the past five years with a 47-30 win over Muscle Shoals.

Masyn Marchbanks finished with 26 points, eight rebounds, and seven steals to lead Hartselle (24-6) to victory. She scored 15 points in the first half and 11 in the second half.

The Lady Tigers defense was the story of the first half, holding the Lady Trojans to 12 total points. Hartselle led 6-5 after the first and 18-12 at halftime.

The Hartselle defense kept the pressure on in the second half, too, limiting Muscle Shoals to 18 points.

The Lady Tigers offense heated up in the third quarter, scoring 17 points, after being held to 18 points in the first half. They added 12 in the fourth quarter to get the 47-30 victory.

Gracie Hill hit three three-pointers in the second half on her way to 11 points. Alyssa McMinemon added seven points and four blocks, while Karleigh Shipley had three. Mary Frances Itsede pulled down six rebounds.

Hartselle advanced to the area finals by defeating Decatur 57-28 in the tournament’s opening game. Muscle Shoals advanced with a 50-48 win over Cullman.

Marchbanks finished with 23 points to lead the Lady Tigers to victory over the Lady Red Raiders. Hill added 13 points, while McMinemon had six. Mary Frances Itsede and Leyanne Cera each added four points.

The Lady Tigers led 16-7 after the first quarter and 35-16 at halftime.