CULLMAN, Ala. – The Cullman Bearcats returned to their home court Tuesday night to host this year’s 6A, Area 14 Tournament and after a thrilling first game between Muscle Shoals and Hartselle, the ‘Cats took the floor and handed Decatur a 66-35 loss to secure a spot in Friday night’s area championship game.
Baskets by Tucker Gambrill and Tucker Cagle put Cullman in front 4-0 at the start of the game and a three-pointer from Gambrill kept the Bearcats in front 9-5 later in the opening period. Kase Nixon drained a three of his own to make it a 12-7 game and Garrison Sharpe laid one in to make it a 14-9. Sharpe netted a pair of free throws just before the first quarter expired and the ‘Cats went into the second holding onto a 16-11 lead.
Cullman was able to create some separation in the second quarter, starting with a Colton Echols basket and another Gambrill three that stretched the lead to 22-13 early in the period. Gambrill was fouled on his next three-point attempt and sank all three from the line to make it 25-13. Another Echols baskets added to the lead and Sharpe knocked down a deep three to make it a 30-14 game midway through the second. Two more Gambrill buckets put the Bearcats in front 34-18 with just over two minutes remaining in the half and following a free throw by Tucker Apel, Nixon drilled a three just in the final minute of the quarter to give Cullman a 38-18 lead at the break.
The ’Cats got the second half started with baskets from Apel and Sharpe, giving them a 42-18 lead and Gambrill drained another triple to make it 45-18 early in the third. Sharpe laid one in to add to the lead and after Apel converted an and-one play at the line, Gambrill scored two more quick baskets off turnovers to put Cullman on top 54-46 late in the third quarter. Apel hit a three from the right corner to make it a 57-31 game with less than 30 seconds remaining in the period and Gambrill knocked down a jumper at the buzzer to give the ‘Cats a 59-31 lead going into the fourth.
Cagle and Max Gambrill each knocked down a pair of free throws to start the final frame, putting Cullman in front by 32 and bringing a hot clock into effect. With the clock running, the Bearcats pulled away to top the Red Raiders 66-35 and will be back home Friday night to face Hartselle for the 6A, Area 14 Championship.
Gambrill led the way for the ‘Cats with 24 points in the win. Sharpe finished with 12 and Apel posted 11.
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