— Athens punched its ticket to the Northwest Regional Tournament Friday night with a 57-39 win over Cullman. Jackson Pettus poured in 20 points and Nathaniel “Giddy” Potts recorded another double-double to lead Athens in the win.
Cullman led 15-10 after one quarter of play, but it was all Athens from there. The home team finally took the lead with when Pettus hit a three-point basket to give Athens 18-17 with just over three minutes to play until halftime.
Athens closed the half on a 12-0 run to secure a double-digit lead at the break. Pettus shot 3 for 4 from three-point range while Potts was 4 of 8 from long distance to help Athens pull away. Potts scored 8 of the teams 10 points in the first quarter and Athens was 50 percent from three-point range as a team.
The second half was all Athens as the Golden Eagles pulled away in the final quarter thanks to some clutch free throw shooting from Pettus, who was 7 for 10 from the line.
Athens (24-7) advance to the Northwest Regional at Wallace State Community College where they will face Parker (17-7) Tuesday, Feb. 19.
East Limestone 44
Russellville 39
Trailing by eight in the fourth quarter, East Limestone finished the game on a 15-2 run to put away Russellville and advance to the Northwest Regional Tournament next week. Jordan Gandy led the way once again for East with 18 points and seven rebounds.
The home team started the game slow, allowing Russellville to take a 14-4 lead after one quarter of play. The Indians fought back and were down by just two points at halftime.
The game went back-and-forth in the second half until East made one final run in the closing minutes to seal the win. Blake Tucker added 10 points and seven rebounds for East.
East Limestone (20-12) will play 5A No. 1 Wenonah (30-2) in Hanceville on Tuesday, Feb. 19
West Limestone 56
East Lawrence 41
Aaron McWilliams had the hot hand once again for West who beat East Lawrence 56-41 Friday to advance to the Northwest Regional. West outscored the visitors 22-7 in the final period to put away a pesky East Lawrence team.
Nathaniel Adams added 11 points for the Wildcats. West Limestone (23-9) will play J.O. Johnson (20-8) Thursday in Hanceville.
Tanner 80
Red Bay 44
Class 2A No. 1 Tanner cruised to another Northwest Regional appearance Friday with a convincing win over Red Bay. The Rattlers poured in 46 points at halftime before calling off the dogs in the second half for an 80-44 win.
Tanner (26-3) will play the winner of Sulligent (11-12) at Vincent (22-6) on Tuesday, Feb. 19 at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville.
CLASS 1A
Marion County (12-12) or Falkville (19-4) vs. R.A. Hubbard (18-5), Wednesday, Feb. 20, 3 p.m.
Lynn (29-1) vs. Shoals Christian (14-14), Wednesday, Feb. 20, 6 p.m.
CLASS 2A
Cold Springs (20-9) vs. Red Bay (27-3), Tuesday, Feb. 19, 3 p.m.
Sulligent (20-10) vs. Tanner (13-16), Tuesday, Feb. 19, 6 p.m.
CLASS 3A
Winfield (24-6) vs. Lauderdale County (29-5), Thursday, Feb. 21, 3 p.m.
Danville (25-8) vs. Madison Academy (25-8), Thursday, Feb. 21, 6 p.m.
CLASS 4A
J.O. Johnson (16-12) vs. West Limestone (23-9), Thursday, Feb. 21, 9 a.m.
Oneonta (28-4) vs. Brooks (17-13), Thursday, Feb. 21, noon
CLASS 5A
Wenonah (26-6) vs. Lawrence County (26-6), Tuesday, Feb. 19, 9 a.m.
Fairfield (21-8) vs. Athens (15-13), Tuesday, Feb. 19, noon
CLASS 6A
Hoover (24-4) vs. Austin (23-7), Wednesday, Feb. 20, 9 a.m.
Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (22-10) vs. Sparkman (32-0), Wednesday, Feb. 20, noon
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