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Chelsea controlled its area matchup against Pelham from start to finish as Haley Trotter and Olivia Pryor helped the Hornets improve to 2-0 in area play. (File)

By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

CHELSEA – Chelsea women’s basketball dominated from the opening tip against Pelham, as the Hornets beat the Panthers 81-42 on Tuesday, Jan. 7 at Chelsea High School.

Chelsea’s home-court advantage proved too much for the visiting Panthers, as the Hornets forced plenty of turnovers and created scoring opportunities in transition.

Olivia Pryor was dominant for Chelsea all game, scoring 15 points and creating scoring opportunities for her teammates throughout the game.

One of the teammates who benefited from Pryor’s distribution was Haley Trotter. Trotter finished with a game-high 23 points, dominating in the paint and converting plenty of chances from the charity stripe.

Tee King tried to put her Panther teammates on her back, finishing the game with 20 points. She was the only player from Pelham to score in double-figures.

The game began with Chelsea winning the tip, an omen of things to come for the Hornets. Chelsea jumped out to a 26-2 lead in the first quarter thanks in part to its full-court press. Pelham played right into the Hornets’ hands, frequently getting trapped and turning it over.

Sadie Schwallie opened the game with back-to-back 3-pointers from the corner for the Hornets. The Panthers then had seven straight turnovers. Chelsea’s athleticism physically outmatched Pelham’s throughout the game, which helped balloon the lead to 24 points.

The Panthers finally stopped the bleeding after a bucket from Hannah Bankston to make it 26-4. By this point, the lead was too much for them to overcome.

Chelsea coach Jason Harlow continued to shift his defensive looks in the second half, as the Hornets alternated from a 3-2 zone to man-to-man defense.

Chelsea’s lead ballooned to a 36-6 margin before Pelham then called a much-needed timeout.

The third quarter saw Pelham counter-punch, outscoring Chelsea 19-15 in the period. Tee King exploded for 16 of Pelham’s 19 points in the period, but the Hornets would remain in front and walked away with the 39-point victory.

After the win, up next for Chelsea is a trip to Spain Park to face the Jaguars on Thursday, Jan. 9. Pelham will travel to Helena to face the Huskies on Thursday, Jan. 9.

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