BY DREW GRANTHUM/Sports Writer

HOMEWOOD — Following a first round loss to the Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa Patriots on Jan. 2, the Thompson Warriors looked to bounce back against Hewitt-Trussville on Jan. 3.

Unfortunately for the Warriors, the Huskies were able to edge out a 52-51 win.

The Warriors started out strong, holding Hewitt-Trussville to a 5-4 lead early in the going. The Huskies found a hot hand in Jordan Wright, as the senior nailed three key 3-pointers in the first quarter alone to give HTHS a 18-8 lead late in the first. A Zach Carnes three and a basket by Kevy Eason helped pull the Warriors within six at the end of the quarter.

Wright kicked off the second quarter by knocking down another three to put the Huskies up by 10. Another Eason basket followed by the and-one shot made it 23-16.

Just as it appeared the Warriors were beginning to make a run, the Huskies went on a 5-0 spree to close the half with a 30-16 lead.

The Warriors started the second half with a 5-0 run, but the Huskies answered with six-straight unanswered points to take a 36-21 lead. Thompson followed with a 7-0 run to cut the lead to eight, but Hewitt-Trussville added four to take a 40-28 lead after three quarters.

The Huskies increased their lead to 14 at the start of the fourth quarter and appeared to have the game wrapped up when Thompson’s shooters began to get hot.

Tavarus Hall kicked off the comeback with a three, as the Warriors went on a 13-2 run to close the gap to 46-41. Rashad Strother then hit a crucial three to pull the Warriors within four, and following a Husky free throw, a Hall basket made the score 49-46.

A late free throw by Hewitt-Trussville put the Huskies up by four, and despite a three by Carnes, the Warriors fell 52-51.

Stats were unavailable at press time, and the Warriors will face Vestavia in the third round on Jan. 4.