The Tharptown varsity girls team picked up a big area win going into the Christmas break, beating Tanner 52-42.

“This was a big area win for us,” said Tharptown Coach Tanna Benford. “We played a great first quarter. We had the balanced scoring we need every night.

“It was an all-around great effort and a great way to go into the break.”

The Lady Wildcats had a huge first quarter, outscoring the Rattlers 23-10, led by Shaylee Wieting’s eight points.

Tanner came back in the second quarter, outscoring Tharptown 14-5 to cut the Wildcats’ lead to 28-24 at halftime.

Tharptown owned the second half, outscoring Tanner 24-18. Gracie Montgomery led the charge in the fourth quarter, scoring eight of her 13 points and going 4-for-4 from the free-throw line.

Brooke Daily led Tharptown with 15 points, followed by Montgomery. Wieting scored 10 points. Jaiden Gaston added seven points, Adrianna Borden six points and Aly Vandiver three points.

Tharptown 52, Elkmont 37

Gracie Montgomery scored 18 points to lead the Tharptown Wildcats past Elkmont 52-37.

Tharptown led 18-8 at the end of the first quarter. Montgomery scored 11 points in the first quarter thanks to hot shooting behind the three-point arch draining three.

The Wildcats led 27-17 at the half and 32-26 at the end of the third quarter. Tharptown pulled away in the fourth quarter, outscoring Elkmont 20-11. Brooke Daily scored seven of her nine points in the fourth quarter.

The Wildcats were 11 of 18 from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter.

BOYS

The Tharptown Wildcats dominated the second half of play to defeat East Lawrence last week 56-49.

After trailing 33-27 at halftime, the Wildcats outscored the Eagles 29-16 in the second half to take the win.

Edward Lopez led the charge with 17 points and 12 rebounds.

Winston Nolen added 14 points – 12 coming in the first half – and five assists.

Colton Simmons and Edwin Garcia scored 11 points each. Tyler Amos added three points.