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After a 30-point win against Chilton County to open area play, the Pelham Panthers picked up a 39-point win against rival Helena to improve to 2-0 in the area. (Reporter photo/Keith McCoy)

By SETH HAGAN | Special to the Reporter

PELHAM – The No. 7 Pelham Panthers are off and running in area play, pulling down a second consecutive 30-plus point victory on Friday, Jan. 14 against rival Helena.

Following a 77-47 win against Chilton County to open area play and a record-setting night from junior guard Laci Gogan with 46 points, the Panthers picked up right where they left off, beating the Huskies 60-21 to improve to 2-0 in Class 6A, Area 6.

The game started slow as the two county rivals trudged to a 4-4 tie early.

Pelham head coach Crosby Morrison knew the team needed a change and inserted sophomore Karma Wynn into the lineup who made an instant impact.

“Karma is our spark plug, she comes off the bench for a reason: to change the pace of the game,” Morrison said. “She’s probably the best all-around athlete I’ve ever coached and she’s a good player for us.”

Wynn was extremely aggressive on defense and made several steals to key a14-0 run as the Panthers turned the steals into buckets.

Pelham forced 12 turnovers in the first quarter alone, while Gogan and Jaslyn Heflin each pitched in six points to take an 18-4 lead into the second quarter.

Helena, now 1-1 in the area, had its best quarter next as Olivia Johnigan scored six straight, but the Huskies still couldn’t stop the Panthers on defense.

Pelham hit two 3-pointers and Heflin added four more to keep Helena at arm’s reach for a 32-15 halftime lead.

Pelham (14-4, 2-0) left no doubt in the third quarter as they held the Huskies scoreless for the first six minutes of the third quarter and Gogan took over on offense.

The guard poured in 10 points during the period as the Panthers outscored their rivals 20-1 and blew the game wide open.

Pelham cruised the rest of the way and didn’t allow a field goal until 15 seconds left in the contest when Johnigan hit a 3-pointer.

Gogan and Heflin led Pelham with 17 points each, while Heflin added fie assists and five rebounds. Savannah Scarbrough added eight more for the Panthers.

Johnigan led Helena with 11 points.

Helena will look to bounce back against area opponent Chilton County at home Tuesday, January 18 at 5:30 p.m. Pelham will continue their area slate as well with a game against Calera on Jan 18 at 6 p.m.

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