By TREY HICKMAN/For the Reporter

WEST BLOCTON — Despite the absence of four key contributors — including three starters — the Calera varsity boys picked up the pace in the second period en route to a 59-28 romp over host West Blocton Jan. 17.

Among the starting five missing in action were Jordan Bishop, Ronnie Clark and Tyler Harrell, while the Eagles were also without the shooting precision of fourth absentee Drew Marling. However, James Gayden — one of the two regular starters who suited up — helped eliminate the slack in Calera’s victory over its AHSAA Class 4A Area 7 foe.

“It’s always tough when you have to play a game without those four guys who weren’t here,” said Calera head coach George Drake. “They’re a big part of our team and they do a lot of different things well for our team to help us be successful.

“We had a number of guys who stepped up. (They) stepped up and they knew they needed to step up and play big and that’s what they did tonight.”

Leading by six following the first quarter, the Eagles (11-8, 2-2 in Area 7) took control in the second set and ended the half with authority. Chasen Baker scored five points during Calera’s 14-0 run that extended the lead to 34-13 and gave way to intermission.

The third quarter continued the trend as the Eagles upped their performance and broadened the advantage to go up by 31 heading into the final period. With the game well in hand, Calera then cruised to the one-sided win.

“We came out here (tonight) and had one of our better efforts,” Drake said. “ShaKeith Tyes played really well and Chasen Baker and Henry Davis. He’s (Davis) been really playing well and big for us here of late. It was a good team effort.”

Gayden guided Calera with 16 points and six rebounds while Chasen Baker scored 11 points and grabbed six rebounds of his own. Terrence Baskin and Davis had 10 points apiece in the win.

West Blocton’s Kalen Kelser led all Tiger scorers with 10 points, followed by Keyshawn Kelser with 6 while Juwan Lundy had five.

The loss dropped West Blocton to 2-18 overall and 0-5 in Area 7.