Greenville High Tigers finished second overall in the WQSB Christmas Classic after falling to Hillcrest in the finals Dec. 30.A 75-70 victory over Minor in the opening game got things going for Greenville.

Rashad Cannon picked up 26 points, Pat Burnett scored 16 and Za’darius Smith had a total of 14. The Tiger’s played Section next for the second tournament match.

“Section was loaded,” said Coach Jerome Harris. “We just fought hard-they were big for a  2A school-6’8” and 6’9” guards.”

Harris said that his Tigers were up 16 points at one point, but after Smith rolled his ankle, they caught up to make it a close match. An unfortunate turn of events would leave the Tigers crippled before the Boaz game. Three GHS players were unable to participate in the game due to an incident at a local Kmart.

The Tigers, with the help of Cannon’s 19 points and 18 points and 19 rebounds from Smith, pulled out the victory 53-42 to advance to the semi-finals. Harris feels like his team could have won the final match.

“We only had 8 players, and Smith rolled his other ankle,” Harris said. “Then a few of our players got into foul trouble.”

Despite not taking the title, Harris was pleased with the performance.

“We were rolling with the best teams in the state,” Harris said. “We played up to our competition.” – Austin Nelson