The championship round of the Chilton County Basketball Tournament featured the end of two long streaks.

Jemison’s boys team snapped host Chilton County’s run of nine consecutive county titles, while Verbena’s girls won their first ever county tournament championship.

JHS defeated Chilton, 51-31, to win the Panthers’ first title since 1994.

The Panthers led by just three points at halftime, 18-15, in a game that included several hard fouls and the referees calling both teams to midcourt at one point for a warning.

Chilton’s physical play forced Jemison out of its usual fast-paced attack that can rack up points in a hurry, but the hosts also had trouble scoring because Jemison’s athleticism and length forced its opponents into deep shot attempts that are not their strength.

“I told them that the atmosphere would be the biggest most of them would ever play in and that the team that was able to keep its composure would probably be the team that won,” Jemison coach Van Clements said. “We were frustrated because they were slowing us down—we like to run up and down the floor. In the second half, we settled down and played well. They really wanted that one.”

Seniors Trey Bryant and Jalen Hardnett led Jemison’s effort with 12 points each. Austin Lovette came off the bench to score 10 points, all in the second half.

Jamarcus Williams had seven points for Chilton.

Verbena’s girls defeated Maplesville, 44-39.

Maplesville entered the tournament seeded last but pulled off upsets over Chilton County and Thorsby on its way to the title game.

MHS played well again Saturday in the championship game but couldn’t keep Verbena from making history.

Maplesville opened the game on a 7-0 run and led, 13-10, at the end of the first period.

Verbena coach Nicole Ivey said her team was tight because of the pressure of being expected to win the school’s first girls county championship.

“They froze,” Ivey said. “They were scared to death.”

But Verbena dominated the second period. Post player Marqueska Deramus drove the ball to the basket, scored despite being fouled and made the free throw for a 20-13 Verbena lead with 1:11 remaining in the half.

Lacey Short’s runner near the end of the first half made the score 24-15, but foul trouble by some of Verbena’s best players—including Deramus and Short—made the second half interesting.

Taylor Kohn and Jameshia Green, among others, rose to the occasion, combining for 12 second-half points while Short and Deramus waited to get back in the game.

“They pulled together as a team. They were very supportive of each other,” Ivey said. “They knew they wanted to win the county tournament. Our first game was against Thorsby, and after we beat Thorsby that night, their confidence went up a lot right there.”

Deramus led all scorers with 18 points. Green had 11 points.

Keshia Bailey had 16 points for Maplesville.

Chilton County won the junior varsity bracket with a 37-33 victory over Maplesville.

Chilton led for much of the game, but Maplesville cut the deficit to four points with 2:45 remaining.

Braylen Parker answered with a strong finish to push the edge to 30-24.

MHS wouldn’t threaten again until Devonta Morrow drained a three-pointer to make it 34-31 with 44 seconds remaining in the game.

CCHS made seven of eight free throw attempts within the last minute of play.

Maplesville’s Anthony Moore finished with a game-high 19 points.

Parker had 14 points for Chilton County.