By WESLEY HALLMAN / Sports Editor

CALERA — The Chelsea High School boys’ basketball team raced out to a commanding lead in the first quarter and didn’t look back in a 53-20 win over Westminster School at Oak Mountain in the opening round of the Shelby County tournament Dec. 16 at Calera High School.

D.D. Washington led the Hornets (6-6) with 14 points in the victory.

Quentin Wilson added 11 points. Jake Ganus chipped in seven points. J.R. Appling and Julius McCall contributed six points each.

Garrett Payne, Brody Holder, Antwon Williams and Josh Allen finished with two points each. Austin Washington added one point.

Jack Stein led the Knights (4-6) with nine points in the loss.

Jeffrey Stanford added eight points. Jacob Welch chipped in three points.

Wilson drained two free throws with 14 seconds remaining in the opening period to give Chelsea a 19-1 lead at the end of the first quarter. Wilson knocked down a 3-pointer with 53 seconds remaining in the first half to give the Hornets a 29-8 lead at halftime.

Chelsea stretched its lead to 43-17 by the end of the third quarter.

The Hornets advanced to play Thompson in the tournament quarterfinals Dec. 17.