Athens led for all of regulation and most of overtime, but it was Muscle Shoals that left with a 80-74 double overtime victory Thursday. It was Athens fifth overtime game and eighth overtime period so far this season.

Athens jumped out to a 34-29 halftime lead, thanks to a huge second quarter from Marquez Bone. The guard exploded for five 3-pointers in the second period and finished with a team-high 19 points.

After Muscle Shoals nearly tied the game right after halftime, AHS went on another run and led by as many as nine points in the third quarter. The seventh-ranked Trojans slowly chipped away at the lead and Mark Sears tied the game with a 3-pointer with just over a minute to play in regulation.

The visitors grabbed an early lead in the second overtime period and hung on for an important 6A Area 16 victory.

Athens next game is another crucial area contest on Tuesday when the Golden Eagles host Hazel Green.

Varsity Girls

Alexis Woods poured in 25 points to lead fifth-ranked Athens past Muscle Shoals 82-61 Thursday. Athens jumped out to a 30-15 lead and had scored 49 by halftime in the area victory.

Jakayla Bridgeforth scored 14 and Olivia Patton added 18 for Athens. Dazia Hankins scored a team-high 20 points for Muscle Shoals.

Athens host No. 2 Hazel Green Tuesday in another game.