The Jemison Panthers captured the Chilton County Basketball B-Team Tournament Championship on Jan. 10.

By BRANDON SUMRALL/Special to the Advertiser

Jemison’s Alton Cobb Gymnasium has been packed all week long as basketball fans stood shoulder to shoulder to watch each round of the 2015 Chilton County Basketball tournament.

Saturday was no different as a standing room only crowd watched as the Jemison Panthers, Thorsby Rebels and Chilton County Tigers claimed county championships.

The Jemison Panthers and Chilton County Tigers matched up in B-Team action to start the day with the Panthers picking up a hard fought 39-33 win.

Will Johns got the game started with a two-point basket for the Panthers that was quickly answered by Mondez Jones.

Reshaun Davis added another Tigers basket, but a three-pointer from Sam Banks gave Jemison a one-point lead.

With1:25 to play in the first period, consecutive baskets by Bailey Simmons and Ryan Thompson gave the Panthers a 10-6 lead at the end of the period.

Ryan Thompson made the Panthers’ lead six points to start the second period, but Keyshawn Williams cut the lead to four with a three-point basket with 3:45 to play.

Four points from Johns and a free throw by John Banks made the score 20-9 in favor of the Panthers with 0:46 to play in the second period.

Two baskets by Mondez Jones took the game to the halftime break with the Panthers leading 20-13.

Williams started the Tigers off with a basket to start the third period that was answered by Johns. Sam Banks and Johns extended the Panther lead to 10 with 3:02 to play in the third.

Patrick Rogers and Jamain Flores cut the lead to seven, but a basket from Thompson made the score 27-18 heading to the fourth period.

With 4:55 left in the game, the Panthers held a 12-point lead when a Giquon Lane three-pointer kicked off a 11-3 Tigers run.

With 1:39 to play, the Panthers clung to a two-point, 35-33 lead, as Johns’ three free throws, along with a Banks free throw, powered the Panthers down the stretch and on to a county championship.

Johns led the Panthers with 18 points, seven rebounds, one steal and six blocks.

Jones led the Tigers with 11 points, five rebounds, four steals and a block.