Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By ANDREW SIMONSON | Sports Editor

NORTHPORT – After a massive win over Hoover on Friday, Jan. 19, the Thompson Warriors kept rolling in area play with a 50-36 win over the Tuscaloosa County Wildcats on Tuesday, Jan. 23 at Tuscaloosa County High School.

With the victory, the Warriors sweep the regular season series with the Wildcats and improve to 3-2 in area play ahead of a massive showdown with top-five Vestavia Hills on Friday, Jan. 26 at Warrior Arena.

Despite the lopsided score in their first meeting, the teams were closely matched in the first quarter as they battled to take control of the game during the early minutes.

Thompson took a 12-10 lead into the second quarter, and that set the stage for the dominance to come.

The Warriors offense erupted in the second quarter, dropping 21 points to nearly double their first-quarter total.

On the defensive end of the floor, Thompson held strong as well and allowed just five more points from Tuscaloosa County before halftime to take a 33-15 lead into the locker room.

The Warriors couldn’t match their second-quarter success during the third quarter as they only scored four points and surrendered eight to the Wildcats.

However, their defense prevented Tuscaloosa County from making a comeback and let Thompson lead 37-22 going into the fourth quarter.

Both offenses came out stronger in the final period as the teams combined for 26 points in the last eight minutes.

However, the 13-13 deadlock in the fourth quarter meant that the Warriors walked out of Northport with the 15-point victory.

Riley Bryant led the way for the Warriors with 14 points off a 6-9 shooting performance. Colben Landrew earned a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Masiah Robinson also got into double-figures with 10 points to go with his three steals as he shot 80-percent from the field. In addition, Daeshaun Morrissette scored seven points and had four assists.

Thompson will face Vestavia Hills at home on Friday, Jan. 26 at 7 p.m. with hopes of closing area play on a high note and avenging their recent loss to the Rebels.