By Gary Lloyd
HOMEWOOD — Hewitt-Trussville was not intimidated when it had every reason to be.
Starting junior point guard Carter Pharis was out with a concussion he suffered Dec. 13 at Gardendale. Senior Tony Hampton did not return after halftime due to a left ankle injury.
But the Huskies hung tough, falling 77-66 to Class 5A No. 1 and three-time defending state champion Wenonah at the Pete Hanna Center on Samford University’s campus Thursday night.
“We fought through it,” said senior guard Jarvis Calhoun. “I think we played well.”
Hewitt-Trussville (11-3) faces Leeds at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Seibert Hall. Wenonah (10-0) faces Homewood at 8 p.m. Friday at the Pete Hanna Center.
Hewitt-Trussville senior guard Connor Murrell
file photo by Ron Burkett
Marcus Williams led all scorers with 24 points for Wenonah. He also added 11 rebounds. Kameron Hardrick scored 16 points and Alabama signee Justin Coleman scored 14 points and dished five assists. Coleman accumulated three first-half fouls and sat more than half of the first quarter. William Ellington chipped in with 12 points for the Dragons.
For Hewitt-Trussville, Calhoun led the way with 21 points on 10-of-27 shooting from the field. He made just one of nine 3-point attempts. Senior James Huguley had a big night for the Huskies, scoring 17 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. Connor Murrell scored 11 points — all in the first half — in relief of Pharis. Will McCullough added eight points and eight rebounds for Hewitt-Trussville. Hampton had five points and four rebounds in the first half.
Hewitt-Trussville made just five of 21 3-point attempts, while Wenonah connected on 11 of 25.
“We didn’t back down from them,” Calhoun said. “We didn’t show any fear. I think we played well. At the end of the day, we lost, so hats off to Wenonah.”
Contact Gary Lloyd at news@trussvilletribune.com and follow him on Twitter @GaryALloyd.
