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By TYLER RALEY | Staff Writer

HOOVER – In a game that turned into a defensive showdown, the Helena Huskies pulled through at the end to earn a win over the Spain Park Jaguars in a tightly contested battle.

Helena defeated Spain Park 30-28 on Tuesday, Jan. 7 at Spain Park High School to earn its first area win of the year and build some positive momentum moving forward.

The Huskies stormed out of the gate with no fear of shooting the ball from deep as Hannah Satterfield and Isabel Heintz knocked down a pair of 3-point baskets, while Satterfield added another two points of her own in the first quarter.

The duo were the only two that scored for Helena in the opening period, while the team held the Jaguars to just one made field goal. This gave the Huskies an 8-5 lead heading into the second.

Heintz was not done from long range in the second quarter, putting in another 3-pointer. Amari Grant also got going on the scoreboard, dropping four points off of one made basket and two free throws.

Spain Park did not let things get away from it though. Jordyn Corey hit a 3-point shot of her own in the period, while Ava Leonard and Abby Whatley each scored two. At the break, Helena held a 15-12 advantage.

The Jags struck for momentum coming out of the break. Corey and Tori Flournoy each hit a 3-pointer as the team’s only points in the quarter. While it was only six total points, the defense played stellar, only allowing two points to be scored in the third.

The Huskies had to go to work down 18-17 entering the fourth quarter, and they did.

Jaterrica Moody hit a big 3-point shot, while also knocking down a pair of two-pointers. Grant also did some work on the scoreboard, putting up four points in the quarter to aid her team’s efforts.

On the other side, Flournoy and Leonard hit two more 3-pointers for Spain Park, while Leonard added on three more from a two-point shot and one from the charity stripe. Teagan Huey also added one from the line, as well.

The difference in the game ended up being two free throws. Luckily for Helena, Mallory Rhodes came through with those in the final period, pushing the Huskies towards victory and an area win.

Grant led Helena on the scoreboard with eight points for the night, while Satterfield and Moody each added seven of their own. Heintz dropped six for the Huskies as well, coming off of her two 3-pointers in the first half.

Leonard led all scorers for the game with 10 for the Jags. Flournoy and Corey also contributed nicely with eight and six points, respectively.

With the win, Helena improves to 11-8 on the year and 1-1 in area play. Next up for the Huskies is a date with the Pelham Panthers on Thursday, Jan. 9 at 5:30 p.m. at Helena High School.

Spain Park drops to 10-11 on the season and 0-2 in the area. The Jaguars now prepare to take on the Chelsea Hornets on Thursday, Jan. 9 at 5:30 p.m. on their home floor at Spain Park High School.