Burks scores 55 in leading Hartselle to wins over Chelsea, James Clemens
"We have a difficult challenge to open the
The Hartselle Lady Tigers closed out 2024 with two wins at the Athens Border Wars tournament over 6A #3 Chelsea and 7A James Clemens. They improved to 17-2 for the season.
“We had to shake some rust off after being off for almost a week,” coach Amber Deline said. “We struggled some in our game on Friday with Chelsea but did enough to win. We played a much better game on Saturday against James Clemens. Now we turn our focus to 2025 and preparing for the postseason.”
6A no. 5 Hartselle 39, 6A no. 3 Chelsea 38
The Lady Tigers faced off with Chelsea in a rematch of the team’s matchup a year ago when the Lady Hornets entered the game No. 2 in 7A. Hartselle found a way to get a win.
Chelsea broke open a close game in the first quarter to lead 16-10 at the end of first quarter. Hartselle faced foul trouble in the quarter as two starters picked up two fouls early on. But they regrouped to stay close.
The Lady Hornets pushed their lead to 17-10 to start the second quarter before the Lady Tigers knocked down a three-pointer to cut the lead to 17-13. Chelsea responded with a basket to extend their lead to 19-13. Hartselle dominated the rest of the first half as they closed the quarter on a 10-0 run to take a 23-19 lead into halftime. Hannah Burks scored a season-high 19 points in the first half to lead the Lady Tigers’ offense.
The second half was a defensive battle between two of the top five teams in Alabama 6A. The Lady Hornets cut the Lady Tigers lead to 31-28 heading into the fourth quarter. Hartselle pushed their lead to four with 3:19 remaining and the game stayed that way until Chelsea hit a three-pointer to cut the lead to 37-36 with 1:21 remaining.. Burks extended the lead to 39-36 with two free throws with 31.5 seconds left. Less than 10 seconds later, the Lady Hornets scored a basket to cut the Lady Tigers lead to 39-38 with 21.7 seconds left. Chelsea had a final chance with three seconds remaining but Mary Frances Itsede stole the ball to give Hartselle the onepoint win.
Burks finished with 27 points to lead the Lady Tigers. Itsede added six points, seven rebounds and four steals, while Anna Hampton Burroughs had three points, five assists, three steals and two rebounds. Elsie Boyd didn’t score but had six steals, four rebounds and three assists.
Hartselle 66, James Clemens 39 The Lady Tigers made quick work of James Clemens in their 66-39 win last Saturday. Hartselle went on a 13-0 run after the Lady Jets scored first. The Lady Tigers finished the first quarter with a 20-10 lead. They extended their lead to 37-23 heading into halftime. Burks led the way with 21 points, while Burroughs added 10 points.
The third quarter was all Hartselle as they outscored James Clemens 24-8 to lead 61-31 heading into the final quarter. The Lady Jets took the fourth quarter 8-5 to make the final score 66-39.
Burks finished with 28 points, five steals and three rebounds. Itsede had her seventh doubledouble with 11 points and 13 rebounds. Burroughs added 13 points, four assists, three rebounds and three steals. Boyd had five points, four assists and four steals.
“I told the team following the James Clemens game that 2024 is over and now it is on to 2025,” Deline said. “We have a difficult challenge to open the New Year with 7A no.3 Vestavia Hills and then settle back into area play. We must maintain our focus and ensure we head into the postseason playing our best.”
New Year with 7A no.3 Vestavia Hills
and then settle back into area play. We must maintain our focus and ensure we head into the postseason playing our best.”
-Amber Deline
Hartselle girls’ head coach
