By WILLIAM WEST/For the Advertiser

The 2015 Chilton County Basketball Tournament opened on Jan. 5 with the varsity girls’ squads from Verbena and Maplesville facing off. The game ended with a score of 35-22, in favor of Maplesville.

Verbena struck first, scoring three points just inside of the first quarter. Maplesville soon answered with a six-point streak. After three lead changes between the two teams, the quarter ended with a score of 10-9 in favor of Maplesville.

Verbena scored quickly starting the second quarter with a two-point basket from Megan Barrett to take the lead, 10-11.

Two more lead changes occurred in the first half of the second quarter, but Verbena held the lead and matched the Maplesville girls’ squad point-for-point.

Maplesville took the lead in the last half of the second quarter, however, and never let up. The first half ended with the Red Devils up, 18-13.

Maplesville outscored Verbena 20-7 in the second and third quarters.

Maplesville’s Amber Uptain continued a dominant performance scoring 10 points in the third quarter alone.
The quarter ended with Maplesville leading, 30-16.

Verbena outscored Maplesville 6-5 in the fourth quarter, but it was not enough to bridge the gap created by the Maplesville.

The Red Devils spread the ball around throughout the game; every starter put points on the board.
Verbena’s scoring leaders were Makaylie Kelley and Keo White with six points apiece. Candice Williams (two points), Makayla Mims (four), and Megan Barrett (four) also contributed.

Uptain led the Maplesville as the dominant scoring leader with 22 total points, 12 of which came in the first half. Kendrauna Griffen (eight points) and Tayuna Watson (five) also contributed.
Maplesville now moves on to a second round matchup with Thorsby to be held Thursday at 5:30 at Alton Cobb Gymnasium in Jemison, site of the tournament.

Jemison opens strong in boys play
Boys’ varsity basketball teams from Jemison and Thorsby faced off against one another in the nightcap.

The Panthers made their presence known in the tournament with a big win against Thorsby by a final score of 70-38.

The first quarter started slow with both teams playing tough defense.

However, Jemison jumped on the board with a two-point basket from Shun Strong. It was quickly answered by a three-point basket made by Thorsby’s Benjamin Thornton.

It was the only lead held by Thorsby on the evening, as Jemison went on to outscore Thorsby 21-9 in the first quarter.
Jemison continued to extend its lead and ended the half up, 45-22. The third quarter saw the Panthers light up the scoreboard against Thorsby, ending the quarter with a score of 62-31.

The Rebels never quit throughout the game, but were outmatched by the size and speed of the Jemison Panthers.
Most of Jemison’s points came from underneath the basket from Strong (10 points), Cody Thompson (15), and Kevin Nunn (15). Jemison was also able to capitalize on the line with 13-of-24 free throws made. Other scorers in the Jemison victory were Mason Jones (eight points), Shawn Poe (six), Tremon Bryant (five), Wesley McGehee (five), Wesley Martin (four), and Trevonte Brown (two).

Thorsby’s top scorers were Brock Higgins (seven points), Christian Fortner (seven), and Thornton (seven). Other players contributing to Thorsby’s score were Noah Byrd (five points), James Sellers (four), Israel Garcia (four), Calvin Plyler (four).

Jemison now moves on to a matchup with Verbena on Thursday at 7 p.m. at Alton Cobb Gymnasium in Jemison, the site of the tournament.

On Tuesday, Isabella’s and Chilton County’s girls and boys team were scheduled to play. Look for coverage from those games at ClantonAdvertiser.com and in future editions of the newspaper.