by Brannon King for the FCT

Things are looking up for the Russellville Lady Golden Tigers even though they fell 46-38 at home Friday night to the Colbert County Lady Indians.

Russellville (10-12, 4-2) has clinched the 5A, Area 14 title and the right to host the area tournament.  The first post-season game for the Lady Golden Tigers will be February 3 against Fairview, which finished area play with a 2-4 record.  Lawrence County (3-3) and West Point (3-3) will face-off in the other first-round game.

“We are right where we need to be,” Russellville head coach, James Bostick said.  “We are playing the area tournament here at Russellville and we are all excited about that.  These games we are playing now are good practice games.  We’ve just got to get prepared to go on and play in the area, that’s where it really matters right now.”

Ashley Dunstan continues to lead the way for Russellville.  She scored 15 of the team’s 17 first- half points against Colbert County and finished with 32 in the game.  Michaela Smith had 4 points against the Lady Indians and Patricia Borden added 2.

“Ashley is playing really good,” Bostick said.  “Peyton Hester is playing really well defensively right now.  Patricia Borden has improved a whole lot.  We are missing one of our 3-point shooters, Abby Holcomb, who is sick.”

The Lady Golden Tigers will continue to prepare with one last week of regular season games as they look ahead  to the area tournament and this time, it will be on their own home floor.