By WESLEY HALLMAN / Sports Editor

CALERA — Calera High School junior guard Deondre Haynes didn’t expect any unusual guests at the Eagles’ game Nov. 30 against rival Shelby County.

A wide grin crept across Haynes’ face when he came out of the locker room following Calera’s 79-73 win over the Wildcats and saw Georgia men’s basketball head coach Mark Fox and assistant coach Philip Pearson conversing with Eagles’ coach Robert Burdette.

“They caught me by surprise,” Haynes said.

Haynes put on a show in front of his collegiate suitors, as he finished with a season-high 36 points to lead Calera (4-1) to a victory over its heated rival.

Haynes went on a personal 8-0 run early in the second quarter to turn a one-point deficit into a 29-22 lead. Shelby County never regained the lead.

Teammate Titus Adams added 23 points, including plenty of second-chance points on offensive rebounds.

“Titus played phenomenal,” Haynes said. “He stepped up and made some big plays for us. I’m thankful for him.”

Blayne Sumrall chipped in six points. Jeremy Hyde and Warren Morris added five points each.

Tyler Madison led Shelby County (2-2) with a season-high 34 points. The Wildcats missed Madison, who scored 15 points in the opening quarter, during the second quarter after he picked up three fouls in the first quarter.

Ty Lollar added 23 points. Andrew Miller chipped in eight points and Tre Cohill finished with six points.

Haynes scored 20 points in the first half to help the Eagles take a 40-36 lead into the locker room at halftime.

A layup by Lollar tied the game at 48-48 midway through the third quarter before Calera went on a 16-11 run to end the quarter with a 64-59 lead.

Madison’s putback cut the lead to 67-65 early in the fourth quarter before the Eagles went on a 6-0 run to seal the win.

“We’re starting to gain momentum,” Haynes said.