by Bart Moss for the FCT

Due to the fact there were only three teams in the B-Varsity division of the Franklin County Tournament, the Tharptown Wildcats, as the top seed, only got one game in the tournament—the finals.  They made the most of their one appearance capturing the championship with a 53-39 win over the Belgreen Bulldogs.

“I was proud of the guys and their effort,” said Tharptown coach Griffin Harris.  “We got off to a good start and let them back in the game in the second quarter.  We came out of the locker room and played well in the second half.  The played with a lot of intensity and executed well.”

Tharptown doubled up the Bulldogs in the first quarter leading 10-5.  Belgreen came storming back in the second quarter to outscore Tharptown 16-12 and cut the Wildcats lead to 22-21 at the half.  Tharptown took over the game in the second half outscoring Belgreen 31-18 in the second half of play to capture the win.

Matthew Hall and Matthew Brasuel led Tharptown with 12 points each.  Joel Mojica added 11 points in the win. Others scoring for Tharptown were T.J. McDonald (6), Zach Wilson (4), Alex Argueta (4), Dakota Nolen (2), and Brayden Key (2).

Shane Devaney led Belgreen with 13 points.  Others scoring for Belgreen were Adam Green (8), Cole Willingham (7), Patrick Sikes (5), Nathaniel Rae (3), and Hunter Lewey (2).

B-Varsity Semi-Final Game- Belgreen 43, Phil Campbell 40

The Belgreen B-Varsity squad stands with their runner-up trophy after falling to Tharptown in the finals.

The Belgreen Bulldogs held off the Phil Campbell Bobcats to advance to the finals of the Franklin County Tournament.  Trailing by three points, 43-40, Phil Campbell had two chances with open looks at the basket to force the lone B-Varsity semi-final game into overtime.  Neither of the two shots would fall and Belgreen won the game.

Phil Campbell led Belgreen at halftime 17-12.  The Bulldogs came back in the third quarter, outscoring the Bobcats 13-6, to take the lead 25-23.  Both teams lit up the scoreboard in the fourth quarter with Belgreen outscoring Phil Campbell 18-17 to hang on to the win.

Belgreen’s Shane Devaney led all scorers with 24 points.

Others scoring for Belgreen were Hunter Lewey (6), Adam Green (5), Cole Willingham (4), Patrick Sikes (2), and Nathaniel Rae (2).

Thomas Baker led the Bobcats with 11 points.  Brody Nix added ten points for Phil Campbell.

Others scoring for Phil Campbell were Joe Hardy (8), Daniel Uptain (7), and Tanner Sumeral (4).