By JON HARRISON/For the Reporter

CHELSEA – The Shelby County High School boys’ basketball team swatted the Chelsea Hornets away on Friday night, despite playing in what can only be described as hostile enemy territory, at the Chelsea High School gym.

The game got off to a quick start with Shelby County’s Brandon Green and Quinterious Montgomery putting up seven points in the first 15 seconds of play.

“The Chelsea game is a great rival game that our kids are always (excited) to get to play,” said coach Torry Brown, head coach for the Wildcats. “I feel like our team is really balanced and we play a balanced game.”

Shelby County lead in points most of the game with the help of the night’s lead scorers Nick Youngblood with 22 points and Brandon Green with 18 points.

Also putting big points on the board for the Wildcats were Quinterious Montgomery and David Watkins. Each had 11 points and Watkins was a key defensive player for the Wildcats with eight rebounds.

Although Shelby County was in the lead for most of the game the Hornets kept the score close with the help of lead scorers Darrell Foster with 26 points, David Simpson with 12 points and Aaron Washington with 11 points.

The final score was 70-65 with the Shelby County Wildcats coming out on top.

“It is always nice and exciting to be able to come out and win a rival game and also to have a win on the road,” said Brown.

Both teams’ next games are away. Chelsea will play Dec. 9 at Cornerstone High School in Birmingham at 7:30 p.m. and Shelby County will also play Dec. 9 at Talladega High School at 7:30 p.m.