PRICEVILLE — Quick as a flash, Hartselle’s Sarah Horner made a steal and threw downcourt to teammate Quanesha Burks for a layup.

Then Burks, a Class 5A sprint champion, followed up by zipping downcourt and breaking up what would’ve been an easy shot.

Horner and Burks — two senior guards — paced Hartselle’s trademark full-court pressure defense and helped the fourth-seeded Tigers beat fifth-seeded Priceville 55-45 in the Morgan Count Tournament on Monday night.

“Those two know the system,” Hartselle coach Gary Orr
said. “Defensively, offensively, we need them to lead us to be successful.”

Burks had 13 points, Riley Terry 12 and Horner and Kaylee Shelton nine each for Hartselle (14-8), which will play top-seeded Brewer on Thursday at Priceville.

Hartselle took control late in the third period when Terry sank a 3-pointer, then made a steal and a layup for a 33-26 lead. Priceville never got closer than six after that.

Emilee Cunningham had 16 to pace Priceville (9-15). Working inside, she shot 18 foul shots and made 10.

Hartselle boys 60, Falkville 28: In a season often torpedoed by injury and illness, Hartselle (5-13) got to enjoy a big win in the Morgan County tournament Monday.

Preston Adams had 17 points, Timbo Slaton 16 and Thomas Fleischman 15 for the Tigers, who now must face top-seeded West Morgan on Thursday.

“It’s all about confidence,” Hartselle coach Keith Wright said. “Confidence is a big thing for us. We know what kind of team we’re facing next, and it’s good to go in with some confidence.”

Falkville (8-12) got 10 points from Canaan Smith and nine from Aaron Estes.

Contact Mark Edwards at mark.edwards@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2461.