Good Hope’s title-clinching victory went much like its previous two — a lot of firepower early and not much drama down the stretch.
The top-seeded Raiders secured their third straight Cullman County Basketball Tournament championship on Saturday night, downing No. 3 West Point 60-39 inside Tom Drake Coliseum to become the first school to three-peat since Holly Pond accomplished the feat from 2013-15.
In addition to snapping the Warriors’ 13-game win streak, Good Hope also held them to their second-lowest scoring output of the season thanks to a ferocious defensive effort.
The Class 4A No. 2 Raiders (24-2) raced out to a 20-5 lead in the first quarter and never looked back en route to increasing its consecutive victory count against county teams to 27. And while the Class 5A No. 6 Warriors (19-4) trailed by 12 points at halftime, they couldn’t find enough footing over the final 16 minutes to put much pressure on Good Hope.
Player Speak
“I’m grateful for this, but it’s bittersweet knowing we don’t get another county tournament. But it’s been a good ride. It’s been special.” — Ivey Maddox
“I had no idea I was going to get it (Bill Shelton Award). I’m grateful and it means a lot.” — Ivey Maddox
“I love this team so much. Seeing how hard we’ve worked and how many championships we’ve won … it just shows what we’ve put into this and that it’s paying off.” — Bailey Tetro
“It’s pretty cool (to win the Bill Shelton Award). I feel like there’s a lot of girls on our team who are deserving. I’m super proud of how the team played. I wouldn’t get any award if not for my teammates.” — Bailey Tetro
Coach Speak
“It’s a special group of girls. This is a tough tournament to win. You’ve got some tough teams and some great coaches. For these girls, though, this is a stepping stone for their ultimate goal, which is to win state. As their coach, though, I have the best seat in the house getting to watch them perform.” — Justin Aby
Top Scorers
Good Hope: Ivey Maddox (22), Ava McSwain (13), Bailey Tetro (8)
West Point: Kylie Quinn (10), Laklin Shadix (10)
Records
Good Hope: 24-2
West Point: 19-4
All-Tournament Team
Whitney Quick, Vinemont
Maggie Burks, Vinemont
Malaya Taylor, Cold Springs
Maci Brown, Cold Springs
Ava McSwain, Good Hope
Ivey Maddox, Good Hope
Heather Tetro, Good Hope
Bailey Tetro, Good Hope
Liberty Shadix, West Point
Laklin Shadix, West Point
Hallie Wheeler, West Point
All-County Team
Kate Sterling, Hanceville
Darby Nichols, Fairview
Ava Thomas, Holly Pond
Madison Butts, Holly Pond
Reagan Robinson, Vinemont
Whitney Quick, Vinemont
Liberty Shadix, West Point
Hallie Wheeler, West Point
Jaelyn Faulkner, West Point
Ella Bruer, Cold Springs
Maci Brown, Cold Springs
Ella Dickerson, Cold Springs
Ava McSwain, Good Hope
Ivey Maddox, Good Hope
Heather Tetro, Good Hope
Bailey Tetro, Good Hope
Charlotte Cummings Memorial Scholarship
Kamryn Tankersley, Holly Pond
Bill Shelton Award
Ivey Maddox, Good Hope
Bailey Tetro, Good Hope