By Neal Embry/For the Reporter

CALERA – The Calera girls’ basketball team won a physical battle with conference foe Helena Friday night at Calera High School.

The Lady Eagles were led by Tyesha Haynes, who finished with 21 points. Helena’s Mekhi Mayfield led the Huskies with 16 points.

In the first quarter, the Eagles jumped out to a 13-5 lead after a 10-0 run, led by Bre Caldwell, who had six points during the run. The Huskies answered with a 6-0 run of their own to close out the first quarter.

The Eagles rebounded well, and took the most of their second chance opportunities. Both teams had double digit fouls in the first half, but the Huskies struggled to take advantage of their free throw opportunities, shooting less than 40 percent from the charity stripe in the first half.

Helena was hurt again at the end of the second quarter when the Eagles took a 15-5 run into the break.

After trading baskets back and forth during the third quarter, the fourth quarter started with the Eagles up by 13. Calera’s defense held the Huskies to just seven points in the last eight minutes, giving the Eagles a 62-46 win.

“We did some good things tonight. It got sloppy at times, but we did well. Helena pressures you, but I thought we did a good job taking care of the ball,” Calera coach James Knowles said.

Calera travels to McAdory Dec. 9, while the Huskies will host Ramsay High School on Dec. 8.