HANCEVILLE, Ala. – The Bulldogs returned home Tuesday night to host this year’s Class 3A, Area 12 Tournament and Hanceville is on to the championship game after eliminating J.B. Pennington 65-54 in the opening round.
The Bulldogs got off to a 6-2 start early in the game and Raiden Morgan knocked down a pair of free throws to make it 8-2. Morgan scored a basket inside to give Hanceville a 12-6 advantage midway through the first and Brodie Malcom laid one in late in the period to keep the Bulldogs in front 16-12 at the start of the second quarter.
Another Morgan basket made it 18-17 early in the second but Malcom converted an and-one play at the free throw line to put Hanceville up by four. A quick steal and basket from Zach Campbell gave the Bulldogs a 23-20 lead with five minutes remaining in the quarter and Malcom drilled a jumper to put Hanceville up by seven midway through the period. Tyson Bellmon then knocked down back to back three-pointers to stretch the lead to 35-24 with two minutes to play in the half and after Cainon Moore put one in with 30 seconds on the clock, the Bulldogs went to the locker room with a 39-28 lead at the break.
Izayah Glenon scored inside to make it a 41-28 game early in the third and Bellmon buried another three to add to the lead midway through the quarter. Bellmon was fouled on his next three-point attempt and drilled all three shots from the line to give Hanceville a 47-32 lead but the Tigers managed to cut the lead to 11 by the end of the third period.
Back to back buckets from Morgan made it 54-43 with just over five minutes to play but back to back scores by Malcom extended the lead to 12. J.B. Pennington began to chip away midway through the final frame until a three-pointer cut the lead to five with three minutes remaining. Moore netted a pair of free throws to put the Bulldogs back up by seven with just over a minute to play and Bellmon followed him with two more from the line that extended the lead to nine with less than a minute remaining and all but iced the game. Hanceville held on to win it 65-54 and will play either Susan Moore or Glencoe in the Area 12 Tournament championship game Friday night at 6:30.
Morgan and Malcom each posted 16 in the win for the Bulldogs and Bellmon finished with 15. Moore added nine and Glenon scored six.
Other Tuesday area tournament scores: More final scores will be added as they are reported
Good Hope 73 – Fairview 67 (varsity boys)
Fairview’s season comes to an end at 15-11 after falling to Good Hope in the 4A, Area 12 tournament. The Raiders will advance to take on either Ashville or Oneonta in the tournament finals Friday night at 6.
Cullman 70 – Decatur 64 (varsity boys)
The Bearcats knock off Decatur to advance to the 6A, Area 14 Tournament finals against Hartselle Friday night at 6.
Vinemont 70 – Holly Pond 53 (varsity boys)
Vinemont knocks off Holly Pond in the 3A, Area 13 tournament to advance to the finals against New Hope Friday night at 7:30. The Broncos’ season ends at 6-17.
Lawrence County 72 – West Point 70 (varsity boys)
West Point’s season ends at 15-16 after falling to Lawrence County in the 5A, Area 14 Tournament Tuesday night.
Cleveland 58 – Cold Springs 48 (varsity boys)
The Eagles’ season comes to an end at 14-15 after falling to Cleveland in the 2A, Area 12 tournament Tuesday night.
Falkville 55 – Meek 38 (varsity girls)
The Lady Tigers’ season came to an end Tuesday night after falling to Falkville in the 1A, Area 13 tournament.
Sulligent 57 – Addison 51 (varsity boys)
The Bulldogs’ season ends at 12-14 after falling to Sulligent in the 2A, Area 13 tournament Tuesday night.
Copyright 2020 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
