Dylan Valdez and Malachi Minor combined for 40 points to help the Tharptown Wildcats take down area rival Hatton 62-40 this past week.

Valdez led Tharptown with 24 points, including 13 of the Wildcats’ 17 first-quarter points. The Wildcats led the Hornets 17-12 at the end of the first and had increased their lead to 32-24 by halftime.

Sometimes prone to second half lulls, Tharptown kept the momentum offensively while keeping the defensive pressure on Hatton. The Wildcats increased their lead to 50-36 by the end of the third quarter and outscored the Hornets 12-4 in the fourth quarter to get a much-needed area win.

Minor scored 16 points for Tharptown. Blake Daily added eight points. Jackson Clement had seven points, Edwin Vela five points and Tyler Amos two points.

“It was about as complete a game as we’ve played all year,” said Tharptown Coach Sonny Conwill, who served as the head coach at Hatton for several years. “I felt like Malachi saw the floor well and had several assists along with his points. Blake and Tyler played as well as they have all year.

“I was really proud of them for getting the win. They played hard and with a lot of intensity.”

Tharptown plays Vina at Vina in the Franklin County Tournament Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.  The winner will face Belgreen Thursday night at Vina at 7:30 p.m.

GIRLS

Tharptown 48, Whitesburg Christian 18

The Tharptown Wildcats got an easy area win Friday night, blowing out Whitesburg Christian 48-18 in Huntsville.

Tharptown jumped out to a 13-7 first quarter lead and extended that lead to 22-11 by halftime. The Wildcats limited Whitesburg to seven points in the second half and scored 26 to put the game away.

Autumn Montgomery and Sarah Mansell led Tharptown with 14 points and 13 points respectively. Savannah Romans and Kaitlyn Simmons scored seven points each. Pamela Saint added four points, and Gracie Montgomery chipped in three points.

Tharptown is the top seed in the Franklin County Tournament at Vina this week. The Wildcats will face the winner of either Vina or Red Bay Thursday at 6 p.m. Vina and Red Bay play Tuesday at 5 p.m.