The Russellville varsity boys have a history of basketball area tournament success under head coach Patrick Odom – and this season, they have earned the right to host it.

RHS VERSUS WEST POINT

RHS went to West Point Jan. 20 needing a win to clinch the top spot in the area for the regular season, and they got it by an 81-72 score.

With the regular season area title comes the reward of hosting the upcoming area tournament.

The Golden Tigers are now 12-9 on the season and 5-0 in area play versus West Point, Brewer and Lawrence County, with one area game still remaining – versus the LC Red Devils – among a handful of other regular season games still on the schedule.

Versus West Point, Russellville jumped out to a 24-16 first-quarter lead and held a 10-point advantage at the half. The Warriors played tough in the second half, but RHS was able to hold on for the big victory.

Malachi Duncan led Russellville with 21 points. Amir Williams scored 16, and Gavin Hyde added 15 on five three-pointers. EJ King helped the cause with eight points; Bralynn Vincent pitched in with six; and Mike Young scored five. KJ Murray and Conner Warhurst had four each, and Jah Williams entered the scoring column with two points.

Earlier in the evening, the Lady Golden Tigers fell to West Point by a 50-40 final score. Russellville dropped to 8-13 on the season and 1-4 in area play.

The RHS girls started the contest by taking a 13-11 first period lead. The Lady Warriors answered, however, to grab a 22-19 advantage going into the half and grew the lead to 39-27 after three quarters of action.

Jacey Moore was the top Russellville scorer with 12 points. Ella Copeland had eight, Laila Hill scored six, Avery Watts and Anna Beth Oliver had five apiece, and Jenna Whitfield finished with four.

RHS VERSUS JASPER

Jasper came to town to take on the Russellville teams Jan. 16, and the Vikings took wins in both games.

The Jasper girls used a 30-8 first quarter to set the tone for their 73-30 win. The Lady Vikings held a 47-21 halftime lead and were ahead 62-24 after three quarters.

Oliver and Moore each had eight points to lead RHS. Whitfield scored six, and Hill had four. Copeland and Desiree Medina had two points apiece for Russellville.

Jasper finished the regular season sweep of RHS in the boys’ game by a 60-53 final score.

After trailing by 10 at the half, Russellville outscored the Vikings in the third period by a 15-11 total. They drew even at 44-44 with 6:30 left in the game on a Mike Young basket and free throw before Jasper pulled away down the stretch.

Williams scored 25 points to lead RHS. King had 17, Vincent five, Young three, Hyde two and Warhurst one.