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The Thompson Warriors battled it out with Tuscaloosa County and prevailed in a high-octane fourth quarter to earn their first area win of the season. (For the Reporter/Larry Dancy)

By SETH HAGAN | Special to the Reporter

ALABASTER – The Thompson girls basketball team needed a bounce back area win at home after opening 2024 with a loss to Hoover and found it with a strong start and finish versus Tuscaloosa County on Tuesday, Jan 9.

The Wildcats kept things close in the area matchup, but the Warriors seized the momentum to start the fourth quarter and pulled away for the 46-39 win.

Thompson jumped all over the Wildcats to begin the night, dashing out to an 8-0 lead with three-pointers from Morgan Adolphus and Terrin Haynes.

Tuscaloosa County closed the gap down the stretch, but Sydney Coney helped keep the Warriors in front with two baskets before the second quarter.

The next period slowed to a crawl with Kayla Russell’s three being Thompson’s only score for several minutes. Cailyn Landrew scored late, but the Wildcats continued to inch closer and the gap stood at just 18-16 as the teams headed to the locker rooms.

The third quarter pace didn’t pick up much as the teams continued their stalemate. Haynes’ three-point play off a nice pass from Jayla Forbes and three more from Kaylee Fenderson kept Thompson out in front as the Warriors and Wildcats exchanged the lead several times.

The final stanza also proved to be the most thrilling as the two squads had their most productive periods of the game. Thompson combined for four triples and Forbes got in going inside.

Tuscaloosa County matched their firepower for a few minutes, but ran into foul trouble midway through the quarter. Six free throws and a couple of dimes from Adolphus to Forbes separated the Warriors in front of their home crowd and finished off their first area win of the season.

Morgan Adolphus paced Thompson with three from beyond the arc and 12 points total. Forbes had a good night on both sides of the ball contributing eight points, eight rebounds and six blocks in the victory.

Thompson (13-11, 1-1) will continue its area slate this weekend when it takes on Vestavia Hills on the road on Friday, Jan 12 at 5:30 p.m.

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