Tharptown sweeps Vina on basketball Senior Night

Tharptown High School’s basketball seniors. From left to right: Cesar Rueda, Daniel Jimenez, Bryson Borden, Kaiden Hallmark, Caden Hill, Lexi Little, Leonela Bela Jaquez, and Alyssa Fischer.

Tharptown High School celebrated basketball Senior Night on Friday with two victories over county foe Vina High School; the THS girls routed the Lady Red Devils 57-16, while the THS boys pulled off a 42-39 win over the visitors.

In the girls’ game, Tharptown wasted no time dispatching Vina, which was playing without key contributors Layla Hester and Lana Bell, both injured. The Lady Wildcats were up 18-3 at the end of the first period and led by 36 points by halftime.

In the second half, Tharptown continued to outscore the Lady Red Devils but at a slower clip. THS added 16 points to Vina’s 11 in the third and fourth quarters to win by a 41-point margin.

“I’m proud of these girls,” Tharptown head coach Abby Ward said of her team after the game. “All you can ask for as a coach is improvement throughout the season, and they have shown me just that.”

Eighth-grader Lindie Easterling led Vina with six points in the loss.

Tharptown’s Raeleigh Harrell led all scorers in the game with 13 points, and senior Alyssa Fischer, the lone senior on the team, also hit double figures with 12 points.

Fischer, along with the boys’ basketball and cheerleading seniors, was recognized between games. After the girls’ contest, Ward commended Fischer for her leadership.

“She has been a true leader for us. We call her ‘Coach Fischer’ all the time because she truly is a leader on and off the court,” Ward told the Franklin Free Press. “We’re going to miss her a lot next season. It’s been an honor to coach her her final season, but we’re sad that she’s going to be leaving us.”

Tharptown’s Caden Hill and supporters. (Tharptown High School/Facebook)

Up next the THS and VHS boys were slated to tip off, but before that happened there was a very special moment for a massive Tharptown basketball supporter. Caden Hill, one of the seniors recognized between games (wearing #35), hit the court, made a few steals and sank a few baskets, including a three-pointer, against Red Devil opposition. Hill’s sharp shooting received a roar of applause and he got standing ovations from Tharptown and Vina fans alike after being subbed off the court.

“We are so proud of Caden Hill for scoring on the court last night!” Tharptown High School posted on its Facebook page. “We love his enthusiasm for Wildcat Basketball! He had the best cheering section! Thanks to all who helped make this a special night for Caden!”

Following Hill’s cameo, the teams went to center court for the tip and a low-scoring but competitive battle ensued.

In the first half, the two sides traded blows and the lead changed hands multiple times, especially in the first quarter, but by halftime the Wildcats had accrued a five-point, 24-19 lead.

After the break, the fight continued as neither side could assert dominance on the other. Tharptown maintained a slight edge going into the fourth quarter up 29-27. The final eight minutes were evenly matched with THS just outscoring Vina 13-12, but that was enough to secure the 42-39 win for the hosts on their Senior Night.

Vina’s Colton Davis led all scorers with 15 points in the loss.

Tharptown had two players finish with double figures: Zach Riley led his team with 13 points and Jackson Knighton was right behind him with 12 points. Evin Lawson added nine points for the Wildcats. Seniors Daniel Jimenez, Cesar Rueda, Bryson Borden, and Kaiden Hallmark all started the game.

Tharptown senior Bryson Borden looks to go up for a rebound in the Wildcats’ Senior Night game against Vina.

Wildcats’ head coach Chuck Simmons praised his four senior players for their character.

“We have four seniors: Bryson Borden, Cesar Rueda, Daniel Jimenez, Kaiden Hallmark. They are a really good group that work very hard in practice and games. They understand what their roles are on our teams, and do that to the best of their ability. They are good role models for our younger guys in the classroom and the court,” Simmons said. “They are all very coachable and give their very best effort in practice and games. They display high character at school and games. We will miss these guys, but we are very proud of them, we know they will succeed in their professional lives after school.”