by Bart Moss for the FCT

The Tharptown Wildcats picked up two big wins to start the second half of the basketball season.  The Wildcats defeated R.A. Hubbard 67-50 and Belgreen 61-39.  The Wildcats had lost to both teams earlier in the season.

“Maybe things are coming together for us,” said Tharptown coach Chad Green.  “We have struggled at times this year.  We’ve had some injuries.  It’s been frustrating at times.  We just have to fight through the adversity and, hopefully, that will make us stronger down the stretch.

“We are starting to get everyone back healthy again. We have played well in the last two games.  We just need to keep that momentum going as we hit the Franklin County Tournament and the last half of area play and the area tournament.”

Tharptown led the Belgreen Bulldogs 13-11 at the end of the first quarter but it was a 22-6 second quarter that would give the Wildcats the cushion they would need to win the game.  The Wildcats led 35-17 at the half.  The third quarter was a stalemate with both teams scoring 14 points.  Tharptown led 49-31 going into the final period of play.

Kaitlyn Vandiver and Jessica Wilson led the Wildcats with 20 points and 19 points respectively against the Bulldogs.  Others scoring for Tharptown were Savannah Hamilton (6), Debbie Gomez (6), Kathy Alfaro (4), Brooke Daniel (2), Ameliah Dawson (2), Linda Bahena (1) and Shaylee Wieting (1).

Allyson Bragwell and Laken Bragwell led the Bulldogs scoring 13 points and 12 points respectively.  Others scoring for Belgreen were Jasmine Martin (6), Nicole Borden (5), Ana Castillo (2), and Emma Riley (1).

Tharptown 67, R.A. Hubbard 50

The Tharptown Wildcats jumped out to a 21-10 lead on the R.A. Hubbard Chiefs in the first quarter.  Hubbard battled back in the second quarter outscoring Tharptown 22-17.  Tharptown led 38-22 at halftime.  Tharptown extended their lead in the third quarter to 50-39 and coasted to the win for their former 1A nemesis.

Jessica Wilson led the Wildcats with 21 points.  Kaitlyn Vandiver added 16 points and Haley Malone scored 11 points in the win.  Others scoring for Tharptown were Savannah Hamilton (7), Ameliah Dawson (6), Brooke Daniel (3), and Kathy Alfaro (2).