Lady Tigers’ first season under Deline ends in sub-regional loss to Mortimer Jordan

Hartselle coach Amber Deline saw her Lady Tigers succumb to the pressure of 6A No. 2 Mortimer Jordan in a 52-36 loss.

“Despite the outcome of tonight’s ballgame, I am really proud of how these girls have battled all year long,” Deline said. “We finished far better than anyone outside this group of girls could have imagined. But these girls had the heart and will to go out and win 22 games this season.”

The Lady Blue Devils jumped out to a 9-0 lead before the Lady Tigers finally got on the scoreboard. However, Hartselle battled back to make the score 14-12 before a Mortimer Jordan three-pointer pushed the lead to 17-12 at the end of the first quarter.

Mortimer Jordan extended their lead to 29-20 at halftime. They outscored the Lady Tigers 23-16 in the second half to get the victory.

Eighth-grader Hannah Burks finished with 13 points to lead Hartselle. Senior Emma Roden scored 11 in her final game as a Lady Tiger. Karleigh Shipley, also a senior, scored four points and had nine rebounds and three steals. Gracie Hill had four points and four rebounds, while Anna Hampton Burroughs and Mary Frances Itsede finished with two each.

The Lady Tigers look to the 2023-24 season, returning their top four scorers, Hill, Itsede, Burroughs and Burks. In addition, the team will return Ella Springer, Anna Claire Gladden and Sophie Estep.

“I believe the future is bright for this Lady Tigers’ program,” Deline said.