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Oak Mountain dominated on both ends of the floor to take the first leg of their rivalry series with the Chelsea Hornets. (For the Reporter/Cari Dean)

By ANDREW SIMONSON | Sports Editor

CHELSEA – The Oak Mountain Eagles rode a strong performance on both ends of the court to a 60-38 victory over the rival Chelsea Hornets on the road at Chelsea High School on Friday, Nov. 15.

Oak Mountain started out the game shooting well from all areas of the floor, getting 3-pointers from Xander Hughes, Gray Plaia and Will O’Dell, field goals from both Plaia and Chris Kunard and multiple made free throws from Chase Lamey and Patton Knight.

The Eagles defense kept Chelsea to just eight points in the first quarter and led 18-8 after eight minutes of play.

Oak Mountain’s defense matched its first quarter total as Chelsea spread the ball around but couldn’t get one player to knock down multiple shots. Aiden Owens did score six points in the first half to try and help the Hornets keep pace.

However, Kunard caught fire from the field and scored eight points, including two 3-pointers, in the second quarter to get into double figures for the half.

That was a key part of a balanced attack from the Eagles as well as the visitors scored 20 points during the second period, giving them a 38-16 lead going into the halftime break.

Chelsea bounced back in the third quarter and allowed just 11 points on the defensive end to give the offense a chance to close the gap. Owens’ six points helped the Hornets score 13 points in the third, the most of any quarter in the game.

Despite the improved effort by Chelsea, Oak Mountain still led by 20 at the end of the third quarter and had a 49-29 advantage.

From there, the offensive pace slowed down as the Eagles outscored the Hornets 11-9 in the final quarter to restore their 22-point halftime advantage, and that proved to be the final margin of victory in the rivalry showdown.

Lamey led Oak Mountain with 14 points and was joined in double figures by Kunard with 11 points and Knight with 10 points. Plaia scored nine points and Hughes added five points.

Owens was Chelsea’s top scorer with 12 points and Brandon Griffith scored seven points.

The Eagles will hit the road for their next game on Tuesday, Nov. 19 against the Mortimer Jordan Blue Devils. Tipoff is at 7 p.m.

As for the Hornets, they will also make a short road trip to Homewood to face the Patriots on Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m.

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