Despite some major droughts Good Hope had just enough firepower behind Tanner Malin’s 20 point performance and Colten Lindsey’s 14 points and more rebounds than one could count. The Raiders knocked off the No. 1 seed, Fairview Aggies, 60-51 Friday night inside Tom Drake Coliseum.
The first quarter opened up with teams trading baskets, but Lindsey showed up big for the Raiders scoring 6 of their opening 11. With the game notched at 11 all after one Good Hope’s offense opened up. Malin scored 5 quick points in the beginning of the period but went to the bench in foul trouble. With a little less than five to play Good Hope used several players to extend a lead, seven of those coming from freshmen sensation Jacob Haynes.
While the ninth may only be 5’9″ and weigh a little more than 100 lbs soaking wet he is an absolute wizard with the ball. The late, great “Pistol” Pete always said the goal is to make the basketball an extension of your hand and that is exactly what it is for Haynes. He often comes in for Malin once he enters foul trouble and he commands the offense, moving the ball up the floor like a veteran. His seven points at the end of the quarter put Good Hope on top 32-21 at the half.
The second half opened up with Malin going over an 8 point solo run in just over a minute, pushing the lead to 19. Rather than throwing in the towel the Aggies switched to a 1-3-1 and Raiders surging offense was derailed, held scoreless for over five minutes. Fairview went on a 10-0 run during that stretch with Ethan Frasier adding five straight during that span. Malin was reinserted in the game to end the half and added five more points, finishing with 13 in the quarter. With the Good Hope lead cut down to ten at the end of the third, Fairview gave themselves a chance in the fourth.
With both teams trading baskets Fairview finally was able to cut the lead to 6 with just a couple minutes to play, but was never able to get any closer on Good Hope’s way to a 60-51 win. Fraizer finished with ten for the Aggies while Lance Tweedie added ten.
Good Hope advanced to the their fourth straight Cullman County Championship (SPOILERS AHEAD) for a rematch against the team that ruined their three-peat bid the year before, the Cold Springs Eagles. They tip off Saturday night at 7pm.
