By Justin Fedich | Selma Times-Journal

The Keith Bears (24-6) never trailed in a 73-48 home win over the Maplesville Red Devils in the sub-regional round of the Class 1A tournament Tuesday.

John Pettway did not slow down the entire night, leading all scorers with 27 points.

Dontavious Thomas hit four three-pointers on the night, including the first one that gave Keith a 3-0 lead.

Two minutes into the game, Pettway weaved his way through traffic for a layup to put Keith up 9-0.

Maplesville scored its first points of the game with 5:30 remaining in the first quarter, but Thomas answered another three-pointer that gave Keith a 12-2 lead.

Morris Collins and Jimmie Powell each scored two-point shots for Keith, and Pettway finished the quarter with a layup in transition to put the Bears in front 21-9 at the end of the first quarter.

Pettway scored the first four points of the second quarter for Keith, but Maplesville came fighting back.

The Red Devils’ Jeremy Williams made consecutive three-pointers to pull Maplesville within five points, trailing 25-20.

“This is probably the best Maplesville team I’ve seen in seven or eight years,” Keith head coach Tisdale said.

Pettway squared up for a three-point jumper in response with 5:30 left in the second quarter, and then got fouled on his next three-point attempt.

Pettway made all three free-throw attempts, and Keith took a 31-20 lead.

The Red Devils would not get close to the lead for the remainder of the game.

Two-point shots from Dalven Johnson, Pettway and a three-pointer from Thomas put the Bears up 40-23 at the half.

Powell and Pettway each scored multiple times in the third quarter to keep Keith firmly in control of the game.

At the end of the third quarter, Keith led 56-32.

Keith took time off the clock in the fourth quarter to secure a convincing victory.

Tisdale was happy with the team’s offensive effort, but he said in order to keep winning, the Bears need to play strong on both sides of the ball.

“Night in and night out, it doesn’t matter who the points come from, where the points come from. If we get a solid defensive effort, we can come up with a win,” Tisdale said.