By TREY HICKMAN/For the Reporter

CALERA — Jordan Bishop made life problematic for opposing defenses as an all-state wide receiver for Calera’s football team this fall.

Now it’s a case of different sport, different season, same story as the senior has asserted himself as a force on the hardwood. Against Class 4A Area 4 foe West Blocton on January 2, the 6-foot-4 forward racked up 22 points and pulled down 13 rebounds to power Calera past the visiting Tigers with a runaway 69-28 win.

Despite being without Ronnie Clark — who, as a highly regarded safety in football, spent the afternoon playing in the Under Armour All-America Game in St. Petersburg, Florida — the Eagles (7-5, 1-0 in Class 4A Area 4) eased to victory behind Bishop’s double-double, while Drew Marling, Keddrick Thomas and Chasen Baker turned in noteworthy complementary efforts.

“Jordan Bishop has been very consistent for us,” said Calera head coach George Drake. “He’s been one of our more-consistent players. Unfortunately, Ronnie (Clark) wasn’t here. He’s playing in the Under Armour Game but when a guy goes out like that, you can still have that consistent guy who’s going to get you rebounds and make some of those hustle plays down there. That’s very big for us.”

Calera’s dominance included a 12-0 Eagles run to kick off the second half as well as holding West Blocton (1-15, 0-3) to one point in the fourth quarter.

“I think our guys came out and competed,” Drake said. “It was one of the focuses going into this game: that we really need to come out and compete. This team needs to be really good toward the end of the year. Being one of the most energetic (teams), first-to-the-floor (after a loose ball) effort. Just kind of over-willing people and I think today, Jordan Bishop kind of led that forefront.

“We have three or four seniors who bring it in Tyler Harrell (in terms of rebounding) and James Gayden (with) just the energy and effort.”

For the Eagles, Marling had 12 points and five rebounds while Keddrick Thomas tallied 10 points and four rebounds and Chasen Baker registered eight points.

Omar Martin paced West Blocton with nine points, followed by William Pleasant with five.