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The Chelsea Hornets improved to 3-0 in area play thanks to a 25-point performance by Haley Trotter in a win over the Spain Park Jaguars at Spain Park High School. (For the Reporter/Cari Dean)

By TYLER RALEY | Staff Writer

HOOVER – Sitting atop the area standings in Class 6A, Area 8, the Chelsea Hornets put on a magnificent performance to rack up another win as they defeated the Spain Park Jaguars on the road.

A stellar performance from senior leader Haley Trotter pushed Chelsea to a 48-34 victory on Thursday, Jan. 9 at Spain Park High School, pushing Jason Harlow’s squad to 3-0 in area play.

Trotter did not take long to heat up in this game, dropping 10 points in the first quarter alone. She was not done there however, pulling down four rebounds to go with her quick start on the scoreboard. Caroline Brown also added three points, two rebounds and a steal in the first to add to the scoring.

Their efforts combined with great defensive efforts saw the Hornets take a 13-6 lead into the second.

The Jags began to make a better push in the ensuing minutes as Tori Flournoy knocked down two 3-pointers. However, those were the only field goals they could amount as the only other points came from three Ava Leonard free throws.

On the other side, Chelsea kept things going. Five Hornets put up points in the second quarter, amounting to 10 points total and helping them carry a 23-15 lead to the halftime break.

Things continued to move as Trotter returned to her dominance in the third quarter, scoring eight points while also collecting another four rebounds and a block. Brown also continued her efforts with five points and two rebounds in the period, while Olivia Pryor collected two big steals.

Spain Park would not go away easily though. Flournoy and Leonard each hit a 3-point shot in the quarter, while Nylah Calhoun scored two and converted on the and-one opportunity that followed.

However, the fight from the Jags was not enough for them, as Chelsea carried a double-digit lead into the fourth.

Trotter and Brown finished things off in the final eight minutes for the Hornets, dropping nine of the 11 points that the team scored. Trotter also continued her impressive day on the glass, recording four rebounds to go along with one more steal.

While Spain Park tried to mount some momentum with two 3-pointers, it was not enough to stop Chelsea from taking home the 48-34 victory.

Trotter led all scorers on the night with 25 points for the Hornets, while also securing a double-double by adding on 12 rebounds to go along with her one steal and one block. Brown added another 13 points to her season total, pulling down seven rebounds and grabbing two steals.

Pryor and Kamryn Hudson also saw the scoreboard, each putting up four points. Pryor also tallied four rebounds and three steals, while Hudson pulled in three rebounds of her own.

Leonard led the Jags on the other side, putting up 11 points, while Flournoy also recorded double figures with 10. Jordyn Corey also made her presence felt, scoring five for the game.

With the win, Chelsea improves to 15-7 on the season and 3-0 in the area, looking to lock up a good seed in the area tournament in the second half of area play. Next up for the Hornets will be the Helena Huskies, which will tip off at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 14 at Helena High School.

Spain Park falls to 10-12 and 0-3 in area competition. The Jags will take a trip to Pelham for their next game, which will be at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 14 at Pelham High School.

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