By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

HAMILTON – The Troup Tigers edged Harris County 50-47 on Tuesday to open a new season on a winning note.

Blake Craft, Troup’s third-year head coach, was pleased with the way the team improved between a scrimmage against McIntosh on Nov. 7 and Tuesday’s official first game.

“From the scrimmage to now, it was a completely different team,” Craft said.

Troup had a double-digit lead late, but Harris County fought back to make a game of it.

When the clock hit zero, though, it was a winning night for Troup.

“We just didn’t finish,” Craft said. “We’re a little inexperienced right now at finishing games, but that’s to be expected. There are only really two guys out there right now with varsity experience.”

Camren O’Neal led Troup with 12 points, and Ricco Person added 11 points.

In Tuesday’s girls’ game, Troup overwhelmed Harris County 63-36 to begin its season with a victory.

Freshman Alexcia Murphy, making her regular-season varsity debut, led Troup with 15 points.

Amber Gilbert added 14 points, Aniya Palmer added 12 points, and Monyia Murphy scored nine points.

Troup’s teams will visit Heard County on Tuesday.