Chelsea comes out on top in tight contest against Spain Park
Published 5:15 pm Friday, January 10, 2025
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By TYLER RALEY | Staff Writer
HOOVER – With the ice preparing to come down over Shelby County, the Chelsea Hornets had ice in their veins as they pulled out a close area win over the Spain Park Jaguars.
Backed by an active night from senior Aiden Owens, Chelsea defeated Spain Park 52-50 on Thursday, Jan. 9, improving to 3-0 in the Class 6A, Area 8.
The game was tight throughout, with both teams making impacts in their own ways. That began in the first quarter as the Hornets’ Jordan Garcia hit a 3-pointer as part of his six points in the early going. Owens also started with four of his own, while Camden Harper and Brandon Griffith each added two.
The Jags made their own push though, as Garrett Gorman hit a 3-point basket of his own in response, while also getting help from more of his teammates. Josh Fonbah put up five while Riley Kent and Sam Fox each scored two points.
It seemed all things were pointing in the direction of an offensive showdown as the first quarter ended with a 14-12 Chelsea lead.
However, it was the second period that the Hornets made a big strike. Owens dropped a 3-pointer for his team in the midst of a seven-point quarter for him. Garcia and AJ Malone also made big strides, putting up four each to assist Owens.
Not only was the offense hitting the mark, but the defense was as well. Chelsea held Spain Park to 11 points during their offensive run, which helped it gain a 33-23 lead at the break.
The Jags, though, came out of the break with an answer. Two 3-point shots by Kent and Walker Coxhead helped put Spain Park on the way to a 13-point third quarter that was complemented by giving up just six points on defense in that time.
Owens was the only one to score in the period for Nick Baumbaugh’s squad, putting up six points. Luckily, it was enough to keep the Hornets in possession of a three-point lead heading into the fourth.
With the scent of a dramatic finish looming in the air, Owens kept Chelsea going with five points in the final eight minutes, including a converted free throw that proved to be crucial. Malone, Kyle Brown, Demarquis Floyd and Tyler Wells also collected buckets in the quarter, giving the Hornets 13 points collectively.
The Jags were led by a competitive effort from Quinn Davis, who knocked down seven points in the fourth, including a 3-pointer and two big free throws. Kent also knocked down a 3-point shot, while Fox put in four of his own.
Despite the surge from Spain Park, it was not enough to come out on top in the end as Chelsea escaped with the 52-50 win.
Owens led all scorers on the night with 22 points for the Hornets, adding another big game to his impressive resume. Garcia put up double figures as well with 10 while Malone put up six. Brown and Wells each scored four points of their own in the win also.
Kent and Fonbah led the Jags with 10 points each on the night. Fox and Davis neared double figures with eight and seven, respectively, while Tommy Morrison added six points and Gorman had four.
With the victory, Chelsea has won three consecutive contests and improves to 8-13 on the year with a 3-0 area record. It will next travel to Helena High School to take on the Helena Huskies on Tuesday, Jan. 14, with a tipoff set for 7 p.m.
On the other side, Spain Park falls to 8-15 and 1-2 in the area. It will also take the floor again on Tuesday, Jan. 14, when it takes on the Pelham Panthers at 7:30 p.m. at Pelham High School.