Athens Bible’s Clayton Hamm isn’t normally the player coach Rusty Brand looks to when his team needs a big shot, but the senior came through not once, but twice Friday.

In the Trojans’ homecoming game against Shoals Christian, Hamm drilled back-to-back 3-pointers early in the fourth quarter to give ABS an advantage it wouldn’t lose in a 59-43 victory.

The win was extra special for ABS players and fans, as it was the final homecoming to take place at the current school. A new school is expected to open before the start of the next school year.

ABS also honored former coaches and players by inviting them onto the floor to be recognized during halftime of the boys game. Former coaches in attendance were recognized, and then former players were invited to stand on the floor with their coach. More than 100 people filtered out of the stands in a sentimental tribute to ABS basketball history in its current gym.

That, plus the large homecoming crowd, made it a fantastic night, Hamm said. The win was the icing on the cake.

“This win means everything,” he said. “This whole season is going to be history for our school, and I think it’s great that we won the game that’s probably one of the most important of the year.”

Athens Bible led 23-21 at halftime and used a 14-0 run early the third quarter to take a 37-23 lead. However, Shoals Christian then went on a 14-2 run of its own and cut the Trojans’ lead to 39-37 with 7:08 remaining in the game.

That was when Hamm hit his consecutive 3-pointers, which ignited an 18-2 run that put the game away. Cade Abernathy also hit two 3-pointers and Ty Dutton added another during the huge run.

“I’ve had a drought for the past couple of games, so it was great to get back in the groove and hit a few shots,” Hamm said. “To be able to hit those shots and get a win feels amazing.”

Brand was proud of his senior for stepping up in a big moment, even if he wasn’t quite sure about the shot selection.

“He let one of them go, which wasn’t the play we drew up, and I literally out loud said ‘No!’ and then it went in and I said ‘Yes!,’” Brand said with a laugh. “Clayton is a streaky guy and I was just really fired up tonight. When he hit those shots, he was thrilled. That was big for him.”

Dutton led Athens Bible with 21 points while Kacen Pierce added 13. Shoals Christian was led by Jake Hull, who scored 22 points.

Athens Bible struggled to start the year, but has won all four of its games since the calendar flipped over to 2019.

“You can look at our record and see that we’ve had a rough year,” Brand said. “But their joke is that we’re 4-0 in 2019. That’s not our full record, but that’s the one we like to talk about.”

Brand said winning in the final homecoming game at the old gym was something his players will never forget.

“There’s a lot of sentimental things about this school and about this gym,” he said. “It’s not much to look at now, but a lot of things have happened over the years.”

Girls

Shoals Christian 35, Athens Bible 22

Shoals Christian used a 14-0 run in the second half to turn a one-point deficit into a victory over Athens Bible Friday night.

ABS led 15-14 in the third quarter, but Shoals Christian outscored the Trojans 14-0 over the next several minutes to take a 28-15 lead midway through the fourth, and coasted to victory from there.

Sara Woodard scored 14 points to lead Athens Bible.

Shoals Christian was led by Catherine Turner, who scored 15 points.