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The Chelsea Hornets limited their second straight area opponent to less than 20 points on Thursday, Jan. 18, leading to a 56-19 win over rival Oak Mountain. (For the Reporter/Cari Dean)

By ALEC ETHEREDGE | Publisher

NORTH SHELBY – Since dropping their area opener, the Chelsea Hornets have bounced back in a big way on the defensive end of the floor to pick up two consecutive area wins, the latest of which came against rival Oak Mountain on Thursday, Jan. 18.

The Hornets dropped that area opener 44-38 in a top-10 battle with Hewitt-Trussville but responded quickly with a 39-9 win over Spain Park for win 20 of the season and now with a 56-19 win over Oak Mountain for their 21st win of the season to improve to 2-1 in area play.

A big reason for the success was a 26-point night for leading scorer Haley Trotter, who had at least six points in each of the first three quarters before resting the final period.

Trotter finished with 10 made field goals in the win, while she knocked down all six of her free throws as well.

She got her impressive night off to a strong start in the opening quarter with a field goal and four made free throws, while the team finished 8-8 from the line in the opening quarter to help total 14 points.

Chelsea also got off to an impressive start on the defensive end of the floor, giving up nine points, which ultimately ended up being their worst quarter of the night, as the Hornets limited the Eagles to six or less the rest of the way in a stout effort.

The second quarter, however, was the big difference maker.

Not only did the Hornets put together their second-best offensive quarter of the game, but they held Oak Mountain to four points in the period.

Offensively, Sadie Schwallie and Trotter combined for 13 thanks to seven and six points, respectively, while Caroline Brown and Laura Russell added six combined.

That helped Chelsea total 19 points in the quarter and open up a 20-point, 33-13 lead at the halftime break.

All the Hornets did to follow that up coming out of the half was put together their best period of the game on both ends of the floor.

Chelsea scored a game-high 21 in the third quarter behind 14 points from Trotter, while the defense limited Oak Mountain to a game low of three points to extend the advantage to an insurmountable 54-16.

The final quarter was quiet with a running clock as the Hornets closed out the 56-19 win.

In addition to Trotter’s 26 points, she totaled 11 rebounds for a double-double performance, while Schwallie added 12 points to also finish in double figures.

Caroline Kester led Oak Mountain with nine points in the loss.

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