Russellville’s basketball teams came close to sweeping a doubleheader at Greenwood Tuesday. The Panthers won handily, and the Lady Panthers had a lead, but the girls’ gallant effort fell short in overtime.
Coach Phil Todd’s Panthers outscored the Gators 38-21 in the second half on the way to a convincing 58-39 win. RHS was clearly the stronger team, despite being short-handed. Senior Zach Hines has been on the sidelines for several weeks with a broken wrist, and top reserve Darrion Quarles, also a senior, was out for this game with llness, as were reserves Dequan Beard and Seth Manley.
Senior Jordan Kennedy—one of the region’s top players—had a big night with 22 points and 16 rebounds. Barrett Croslin added 13 points and Josh Hampton 11.
Alex Schneller had 14 points for Greenwood but no other Gator scored more than 6 points.
The Lady Panthers experienced most of the emotions of sports in their game. They trailed early by five points but then came back to tie the score at the end of the half. They led by seven points in the third quarter, fell behind, regained the lead, trailed by two points late in regulation, and then hit a shot at the buzzer to force overtime. They were tied in overtime, fell behind by five and never recovered in a 66-59 loss.
The 48-41 lead came on a pair of free throws by Devonya Bryant. The fourth quarter lead resulted from Amber Sydnor’s driving layup, and she hit a tying jumper with 8.5 seconds remaining in regulation. She was fouled on the play but missed the go-ahead free throw. Lauren Maupin was fouled rebounding the missed foul shot. She hit both shots to give the Lady Gators what appeared to be the winning points, but Lady Panther Shea Hampton sped downcourt and hit a layup at the buzzer, forcing overtime. Those were her only two points of the game.
Sarah Jordan scored 7 of her team-high 15 points for the Lady Gators in the fourth quarter and extra period. Maupin finished with 12 points, 16 rebounds and 11 blocked shots for Coach Todd Talbot’s Lady Gators. Teammates Cassie Meador and Katie Douglas were also in double figures.
Sydnor had 25 points, slightly above her average. Junior Khalia Hampton totaled 13 points and 15 rebounds. Nathanshia Haskins, who has become a third scoring option for Coach Dedra Adlers’s team, chipped in 10 points.
Russellville’s teams play an important district doubleheader at Franklin-Simpson Friday.
GIRLS
Score by quarters: 1) GHS 12-8, 2) 23-23, 3) RHS 42-37, 4) 55-55, Final) Greenwood 66, Russellville 59
RHS (59) Amber Sydnor 25, Khalia Hampton 13, Nathanshia Haskins 10, Devonya Bryant 6, Devonna Sydnor 3, Shea Hampton 2
GHS (66) Sarah Jordan 15, Cassie Meador 13, Lauren Maupin 12, Katie Douglas 10, Taylor Tolbert 6, Alexis Daniel 6, Samantha James 4
BOYS
Score by quarters: 1) RHS 14-6, 2) 22-18, 3) 43-31, Final) Russellville 58. Greenwood 39
RHS (58) Jordan Kennedy 22, Barrett Croslin 13, Josh Hampton 11, Christian Naylor 5, Coco Darden 4, Lee McMurray 3
GHS (39) Alex Schneller 14, T.J. Dean 6, Trevor Stockton 5, Antonio Bradley 4, Dylan DeWitt 3, DeMichael Bibb 2, Anthony Walker 2