Kiah Key’s career-high 32 points lead Hartselle to victory over Vestavia Hills
VESTAVIA HILLS — Senior Kiah Key scored a career-high 32 points to lead Hartselle (3-1) to a 74-58 win on the road at Vestavia Hills.
“It feels good to get a career-high, but it feels even better to get the win,” Key said. “Vestavia Hills is a hard place to play and to come out with a victory says a lot about our team.”
Kiah scored 14 points in the first half that ended in a 26-26 tie heading into the break.
“I thought Kiah grew up tonight,” Hartselle head coach Faron Key said. “He really wanted to play well tonight. He had some matchups that he benefitted from in the game.”
Vestavia came out after halftime and jumped to a 37-28 lead. Kiah Key led the Tigers’ charge back, finishing with 13 points in the quarter as Hartselle outscored Vestavia Hills 19-8 after falling behind by nine points. The Tigers led 47-43 heading to the fourth quarter.
Hartselle had six players score in the fourth quarter as they outscored the Rebels 27-15 to secure the 16-point victory.
“We are a different team than last year,” Key said. “After falling behind by nine points in the third quarter, I told them they needed to get off the ropes and fight back.”
Rylan Smothers added a double-double, 11 points and 10 rebounds, while Ryan Dunn and Thomas Itsede scored eight points each. Itsede added six rebounds.
Win Miller led Vestavia Hills with 22 points.
Hartselle 77, Mortimer Jordan 24
The Tigers ran past visiting Mortimer Jordan 77-24 to pick up their second win of the young season.
Kohl Key scored a game-high 17 points to lead the Tigers to the 53-point win. He also had three rebounds and three steals.
The Tigers led 18-8 after the first before outsourcing the Blue Devils 25-5 to lead 43-13 at halftime. Hartselle’s defense held Mortimer Jordan to 11 points in the second half, including none in the fourth quarter.
Markus Tapscott added 11 points and five rebounds, while Kiah Key finished with 10 and five rebounds. Dunn added nine points and Smothers had eight points and eight rebounds.
Coleman Maldonado led Mortimer Jordan (1-) with eight points.
