The Fannin County Rebels found themselves down early in their home game against Union County Saturday, December 12, but was able to battle back from a 17-0 deficit to win the game 50-49.
It was all Union County early in the first as the Rebel could not buy a basket. The Panthers were able to take a 17-0 lead until around midway through the first when the Rebels heated up from deep. Landon Norton scored six points on two, three-point baskets, while Tucker Hanson netted a three-point bucket right after Norton, and scored a two-point basket. Jordan Bennett sank a three from deep as well to end the first quarter as Fannin went on a 14-3 run to make it 20-14 Union County to start the second quarter.
With the crowd electric, Fannin continued their hot hand in the second as Kaeden Twiggs scored six points on three, two-point buckets inside. Norton kept the shooting streak alive with a three-point bucket and two free throws, while Hanson scored a three-point basket to cap a 14-point second quarter for Fannin. Union County scored 10 points in the second as Fannin trailed 30-28 at halftime.
The back and forth battle continued in the third with both teams scoring 12 points each. Norton had six of Fannin’s 12 points on two, three-point baskets, while Hanson and Twiggs combined for six points on a two-point bucket and free throw each. When the third quarter ended the Panthers still held a 42-40 lead over the Rebels.
The Rebels were able to tighten up on defense in the fourth, holding the Panthers to seven points. Twiggs and Hanson combined for 10 points in the fourth for Fannin as Hanson sank a three ball and a two-point basket. Twiggs netted a two-point bucket and fought his way to the free throw stripe where he converted three free throws for five points. The effort was enough to give the Rebels the lead and ultimately the win as Union County could not score again as time expired, giving the Rebels a 50-49 win.
FC 14 14 12 10 - 50
UC 20 10 12 07- 49
Rebels summary:
Points: Norton 17, Hanson 16, Twiggs 14, Bennett 3.
Free throws: Norton 2-4, Hanson 1-2, Twiggs 4-10, Bennett 0-1.