By DREW GRANTHUM/Staff Writer

The Chilton County Basketball Tournament saw a nail-biter in the second game of girls’ first-round competition, as the Isabella Mustangs and Chilton County Tigers squared off in a close contest that saw the Tigers take a 39-35 win.

For most of the contest, the two squads took part in a defensive battle, with the Tigers taking a 15-14 lead early in the third quarter.

Chilton County extended the lead to 21-16 on a pair of Kadesha Lee free throws and a basket by Stephanie Collins, but a Mustangs’ three-pointer by Sophie Underwood closed the gap to 21-19 with 4:21 left in the quarter.

A 7-3 run for the Tigers ensued, as Chilton County took a 28-22 lead with under 2 minutes to play.
Caley Booth sank a free throw to cut the lead to five, but a basket by the Tigers extended the lead to 30-23 at the end of the quarter.

The Tigers got scoring started in the fourth, as a basket by Kaley Lucas put the squad up, 32-23.

The Mustangs then went on a scoring run of their own, as Synia’ Chattman hit a free throw and Andrea Powell netted a three-pointer to cut the lead to 32-27 with 6:14 left in the contest.

The Mustangs added five more unanswered points, as Booth and Underwood combined to tie the contest at 32-32 with 4:08 left.

The Tigers answered with two unanswered baskets of their own, as Lee netted both to put Chilton County back up, 36-32.
An Isabella basket and Chilton County free throw kept the score close, 37-35, but two trips to the free throw line proved unfruitful for Isabella.
The Tigers were able to hang on, adding another Lucas basket late to seal the win.

Lucas led the Tigers with 10 points, while Lexis Blackman and Salena Stoneback each had six points.

For the Mustangs, Booth had 14, while Powell posted seven and Chattman six.

Chilton County moves on to face rival Jemison Friday at 5:30 p.m. at Jemison’s Alton Cobb Gymnasium.