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By Carey Reeder | Staff Writer

The Thorsby High School varsity boy’s basketball team made it a 2-0 night for the Rebels over Verbena High School on Jan. 3 with a 68-36 triumph in the first round of the 2023 Chilton County Basketball Tournament. The boys team followed up the varsity girl’s 56-22 win over Verbena.

“We have been up and down all year, but I thought we played okay (against Verbena) offensively, but defensively I did not think we played as hard as we needed to play,” Thorsby coach Russell Ricks said. “Overall, we will take a win any day.”

The first matchup between the Chilton County schools this season saw Aiden Seeley post a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds. He added three steals and went two-for-three from beyond the 3-point arc. Aiden Niamon had 10 points for the Rebels.

“Our kids look forward to the county tournament, and Thorsby has had a lot of success in recent years in it, and the kids take a lot of pride in that,” Ricks said.

Ricks added while the win was nice, the intensity on the defensive end of the floor by the Rebels was not where he wanted it, and wanted to see it improve in the semifinals. Ricks also said limiting turnovers will be the key to Thorsby advancing to the championship on Jan. 7.

The win moves the No. 3 seeded Rebels into the semifinals on Jan. 6 at 7 p.m. at Jemison High School where the No. 2 seed Maplesville High School awaits.

“Maplesville is athletic, and if we are not on top of our game it could be a long night,” Ricks said. “We look forward to it, but we have to play a complete game (to win).”

The No. 1 seed Chilton County High School faces the No. 4 seed Jemison in the other semifinal on Jan. 5 at 7 p.m.