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By ANDREW SIMONSON | Sports Editor

NORTH SHELBY – With Oak Mountain head coach Joel Floyd out sick, his team won in his stead to continue their positive momentum going into area play.

The Oak Mountain Eagles defeated the Moody Blue Devils 84-57 on Friday, Jan. 3 at Oak Mountain High School with assistant coach Adam Brown leading the team to victory.

Nine different Eagles found the scoresheet as the hosts pulled away after a tight first quarter to earn a dominant victory in their final game before the start of area play on Tuesday, Jan. 7.

While Chase Lamey kickstarted the Oak Mountain offense with two first-quarter 3-pointers, it wouldn’t be enough to push his team over the top at the end of the first quarter. Moody took a 15-13 lead into the second after four different scorers helped them take the lead.

The Eagles hit another gear in the second quarter, and much of it was thanks to a stellar shooting performance from Will Patterson.

After scoring just one point in the first quarter, Patterson went on a hot streak and knocked down every shot he took in the second, making all five of his shots from the field and both of his free throws to give himself 14 second-quarter points.

He and Gray Plaia led the way for a 21-point second quarter, which combined with an improved effort defensively gave Oak Mountain a 34-24 halftime lead.

Both teams shot the ball well in the third, but this time, the Eagles spread the love around the floor instead of relying just on Patterson or Lamey. Six different Oak Mountain players hit baskets, including multiple makes from Patterson, Plaia, Xander Hughes and Kason Lemons.

The Eagles outpaced the Blue Devils 22-19 during the third period to extend their lead to 56-42 at the end of the quarter.

From there, Lamey carried the load in the fourth quarter, knocking down a trio of 3-pointers while scoring 13 points in the final eight minutes of the game. Plaia and Will Burgess each hit 3-pointers as well as the Eagles polished off a season-high 87 points in a commanding victory.

Lamey led Oak Mountain with 24 points, Patterson scored 21 points and Plaia finished with 19 points. In addition, Lemons had seven points and Hughes ended the game with four points.

The 18-3 Eagles will now take a three-game win streak into their first area game at home against the Hewitt-Trussville Huskies on Tuesday, Jan. 7 at 7 p.m.