By MICKEL PONTHIEUX / Sports Reporter

HOOVER – The Spain Park Jaguars opened the 2013 Bellini’s Jaguar Classic with a 41-29 victory over the Pell City Panthers Jan. 2.

After taking an 8-6 lead in the first quarter, the Jags were able to hold Pell City to just two baskets in the second for a 14-10 halftime lead.

Spain Park opened the second half with a 9-2 run to take an 11-point lead midway through the third quarter. Pell City was able to cut the Jags lead to six, but Spain Park responded with an 8-0 run to take a 31-19 lead into the fourth quarter.

Pell City’s Markeil Buchhanon came alive for the Panthers in the fourth quarter with a 4-0 run to cut the Spain Park advantage to eight, 31-23. Deion Wright led the Jags on a 6-0 run to regain the double-digit lead for Spain Park, 36-23, with under four minutes left.

Pell City went on a 6-2 run to cut the deficit to nine, but the Jags closed the game 3-for-4 from the free throw line to seal the 41-29 win.

Buchhanon led all scorers with 18 points, including 10 points in the first half.

Wright led the Jags with 14 points.

Spain Park will face Ramsay in the second round of the Jaguar Classic on Jan. 3 at 7:30 p.m. Ramsay defeated Prattville 63-37.