James Albritton / The Community News: Bearcat Senior Colton Culberhouse eludes an Azle defender during the second overtime period in Friday night's thriller at Aledo High School.

By Tony Eierdam
Aledo senior point guard Colton Culberhouse hit a three-pointer to force overtime then sank three late free throws in the second overtime period to lift the Bearcats to an 86-82 victory over Azle Friday night in District 6-4A action at the Aledo High School gym.

Prior to the boys' contest, the state-ranked No. 7 Aledo Ladycats raised their 6-4A mark to 5-0 with a 68-32 win over Azle.

Culberhouse stung the Hornets with a trey from the top of the key to tie the game, 66-66, with three seconds remaining in regulation. The stunned Hornets failed to bring the ball upcourt after the three as the contest went into overtime.

However, Azle returned the favor in the first OT by canning a three-pointer at the buzzer to tie the contest, 75-75, and send the game to a second overtime period.

The Bearcats jumped out to an 80-77 lead in the second OT after a layup by Ryan Talley off a feed from Shane Smith and a three-point play by Tanner McDonald, who scored on a layup and was fouled, following with a made free throw.

Aledo led by just two points, 81-79, when Culberhouse nailed a pair from the line with 1:24 left to give the Bearcats a four-point advantage, 83-79. Culberhouse added another free throw 30 seconds later, and Smith and Blake Reynolds each hit one of two charity shots to close the Aledo scoring.

The win lifts the Bearcats to 2-1 in district play, while Azle falls to 1-2.

Culberhouse led Aledo with 22 points, Talley tallied 16 and McDonald added 13.

The Ladycats cruised to an easy victory behind a game-high 28 points from senior guard Hannah Christian in a 68-32 victory over the Azle Lady Hornets Friday night at the Aledo High School gym.

The win elevates the Ladycats to 5-0 in district play, while Azle stays winless at 0-5. Aledo is tied for first place in the district with 5-0 Springtown, which defeated Birdville Friday night.

Also scoring for the Ladycats were Taylor Hays with 16 points, Tara Gough with seven, Logan Mittie with six, Caileen Tallant with four, Jennifer Wilson with three, and Mollie O'Neal and Bailey Haynes, each with two.