By AUSTIN FRANKLIN / Special to the Reporter

COLUMBIANA- In a game where neither team could put away the other, the Shelby County varsity girls managed to outlast Chelsea for the win, 45-39. Thanks in large part to the late shooting from Sam Slaughter, seven points in the fourth quarter, Shelby County was able to escape with the victory.

“It was pretty good. We made some decent offensive plays,” said Shelby County head coach Ashley Phillips. “We executed, and then forced them to turn the ball over. So anytime you don’t give them transition layups you have a chance to win. It was a real good game both ways, nip and tuck.”

In the early going, Shelby County was consistently able to find open spots in the paint, but was inconsistent in capitalizing on open looks, which allowed for Chelsea to stick around and adjust going into the half only down 23-21.

Chelsea started slow to open the third but rallied behind the shooting efforts of Michaella Edwards, who finished with a team leading 19 points. The defense for Chelsea improved in the second half with Kh’Lari South helping to fill in the paint and stop the Wildcats from consistently getting offensive rebounds. Their efforts were rewarded with Chelsea entering the fourth with a 33-32 lead.

In the fourth however, Shelby County was able to pull away from Chelsea. Majorie Head, who paced all scoring with 17 points, lead the way early in the fourth quarter for Shelby County with two quick layups to start the fourth.

When Chelsea threatened late in the game down by one, it was Slaughter who delivered a back breaking three pointer to extend the lead to four with a minute remaining. From there a combination of half court pressure on defense and playing keep away on offense sealed the game in Shelby County’s favor.

“I want to say it was great defense, but maybe they just weren’t hitting shots. It’s a bit of both sometimes,” remarked Coach Phillips after the game.