By Erik Harris
HOOVER – The Hewitt-Trussville girls basketball team came up just short in, perhaps, the most physical game of the season. In a contest that saw 54 fouls called, the Huskies took a, 60-56, loss at Spain Park on Friday night.
That stumble gives the visitors a 1-3 Class 7A, Area 6 record. Hewitt-Trussville jumps back into area play next Tuesday at Vestavia Hills.
After a Tuesday night loss at area foe Mountain Brook, Huskies’ head coach Tonya Hunter discussed her team’s lack of performance in the third quarter this season.
“We have an issue with third quarters,” said Hunter on Tuesday night. “That’s where are issues come from.”
That issue seemed to be ironed out against Spain Park, as the two drew even throughout the third frame at 14-all. However, it was a lackluster second quarter that made the difference on Friday night.
The Jaguars held their guests to an 0-for-8 performance from the field in the second frame to take a 40-29 lead into the locker room. Spain Park dropped three consecutive 3-point plays, including an old-fashion triple from Elizabeth Philpot, in the final seconds of the first half to take command of the game.
The lid covering the Huskies basket was removed at the break and Hewitt-Trussville struck quickly with a Kimberly Durrett 3-pointer from the left wing followed by a London Coleman old-fashion triple that cut the Jags lead to 40-35 with 7:30 remaining in the third quarter.
The bulk of Hewitt-Trussville’s offense came from the free-throw line. Hunter’s girls were fouled 34 times in the game, and finished 35-of-53 (66 percent) from the charity stripe. Their remaining 21 points came off makes from the floor.
The Huskies trailed by 11 going into the final eight minutes of play, but kept driving hard and getting to the free-throw line. After two makes from Cierra Taylor and another by Coleman, Hewitt-Trussville drew to within three with 4:33 remaining.
Thanks to a strong post move by Philpot and an open lay-in by Skyla Knight, Spain Park pulled away with less than two minutes remaining. Gabby Hill buried a 3-pointer from the top of the key (the Huskies only field goal of the fourth quarter) to end the game at 60-56.
For Hewitt-Trussville, Coleman led the way with 17 points while Morgan Kirk scored 11. Bailey Berry finished with nine and Hill with seven.
For the Jags, Knight led the way with 14. Philpot went for 13 points and Claire Holt finished the night with 12.
Erik Harris is the Sports Editor for the Trussville Tribune. Follow him on Twitter @jeharris2 or email him at jmseharris2@gmail.com.