By Stephen Dawkins | Assistant Managing Editor

Jemison’s girls basketball team shook off an early funk and came back for a 30-27 win over Holtville on Monday in a game that was a tune-up for the area tournament.

Host JHS could manage only two points in the first period and trailed, 4-2, going into the second period.

Things weren’t much better in the second and third periods as the Panthers trailed 11-8 and 20-14, respectively.

But in the fourth quarter on Senior Night—the last home game for the team’s seniors—the Panthers came alive.

Shelby Lopez tied the game at 20 on a long jump shot with 6:25 remaining on the clock, and she gave the hosts the lead with 4:45 left when she dribbled into the lane, was fouled in the act of shooting and made one of the ensuing free throws.

Lopez made seven free throws in 10 attempts in the fourth quarter alone, and the Panthers made 12 out of 18 as a team.

Lopez finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Teammate Shayna Robinson had seven points and four steals.

The boys game ended too late to be included in this edition.

The Jemison girls play host Southside-Selma at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the Class 4A, Area 6 tournament. If they win, they would play again at 3 p.m. Saturday in the area championship game.

The Jemison boys play host Dallas County at 6 p.m. Friday in the Class 4A, Area 6 tournament. If they win, the Panthers would play again at 6 p.m. on Feb. 13 for the area championship.

By Stephen Dawkins | Assistant Managing Editor

Jemison won at Chilton County on Friday in a game that might have been more hard fought than usual.

Bragging rights are always at stake between the two girls basketball teams, but Friday was the last home game for several CCHS seniors.

The visiting Panthers won, 43-36.

JHS led throughout the first half, but a Chynna Davis free throw with 4:23 remaining in the third period gave Chilton a 23-22 lead.

Jemison responded with a bucket inside by Shelby Griffin that sparked a 6-0 run and a 28-23 lead going into the fourth period.

But the hosts wouldn’t go quietly.

Keondra Looney drained a three-pointer with 6:58 left on the clock for a 31-30 CCHS edge.

The advantage was short-lived, though, as Jemison retook the lead, and two clutch free throws by Shelby Lopez with 52 seconds left sealed the win.

Lopez led Jemison with 13 points, eight of which came in the final quarter.

Teammate Shelby Griffin had 12 points.

Keona DeJarnett had a game-high 17 points for CCHS.

From Staff Reports

Jemison’s boys basketball team won on Jan. 27, 74-54, over Montevallo.

Eddie Hubbard led the effort with 17 points but had plenty of help. Trey Bryant added 15 points, and Jeremiah Gates scored 14.

From Staff Reports

The Panthers girls hung around on Jan. 27 but could never make a run to threaten visiting Montevallo.

Jemison’s girls basketball team fell to Montevallo, 43-32, in a non-region game.

Shelby Griffin finished strong in the lane to make the score 33-22 at the end of the third quarter, but JHS couldn’t cut into the deficit in the second half even with Morgan Lucas scoring six of her eight points in the fourth period.

Shelby Lopez also had eight points, to go along with three assists and eight rebounds.

Shayna Robinson had 10 rebounds, and Griffin pulled down eight boards.

Jemison’s boys team won its first Chilton County Basketball Tournament championship since 1994—and in the process broke rival Chilton County High School’s streak of nine consecutive titles.

The Panthers, who entered as the tournament’s top seed, won Saturday at host CCHS, 51-31.

JHS led by just three points at halftime, 18-15, in a game that included several hard fouls and the referees calling both teams to midcourt at one point for a warning.

Chilton’s physical play forced Jemison out of its usual fast-paced attack that can rack up points in a hurry, but the hosts also had trouble scoring because Jemison’s athleticism and length forced its opponents into deep shot attempts that are not their strength.

Seniors Trey Bryant and Jalen Hardnett led Jemison’s effort with 12 points each. Austin Lovette came off the bench to score 10 points, all in the second half.

By Stephen Dawkins | Assistant Managing Editor

Jemison’s boys basketball team pulled away from Maplesville in the second quarter Monday for a 62-35 win.

The home victory was a nice way for JHS to end the first half of the season. Jemison won its first six games but then lost two in a row.

Now, they head into the holiday break with some confidence and momentum.

The Panthers (7-2) led 14-7 after one quarter, but visiting MHS was within striking distance until Jemison’s Austin Lovette scored five consecutive points—including a three-pointer—to close the second half

The Red Devils (3-4) never threatened in the second half of the game at Jemison’s Alton Cobb Gymnasium.

Jemison’s Tre Bryant and Eddie Hubbard shared honors of leading scorer with 13 points each.

Bryant also had three assists.

Jeremiah Gates chipped in 12 points and five rebounds.

Anthony Johnson led Maplesville with 12 points.

By Stephen Dawkins | Assistant Managing Editor

Maplesville’s girls basketball team earned its first win of the season, 43-35 Monday over Jemison.

The Red Devils (1-6) trailed at halftime, 24-21, but outplayed their hosts in the second half.

MHS took the lead in the third quarter but needed some clutch free throw makes late in the fourth quarter to put the game away.

Ebony Childers stepped to the charity stripe with 38 seconds on the clock and calmly drained two free throws for a 40-35 Devils lead.

After a Jemison turnover, it was Keshia Bailey’s turn. She made two free throws to give MHS a 42-35 edge.

Childers led all scorers with 24 points. She also had 10 rebounds and five steals.

Bailey had 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Shelby Lopez led Jemison with 12 points. Teammate Shayna Robinson had eight points.

Lopez had six rebounds, and Shelby Griffin recorded seven rebounds and two steals.

From Staff Reports

Jemison’s boys basketball team suffered its first and second losses of the season during a tough three-game stretch.

The Panthers (6-2) were led by Trey Bryant’s 17 points, Eddie Hubbard’s 16 points and Jalen Hardnett’s 12 points in a 62-56 win over Bibb County on Dec. 9.

But then JHS fell in overtime, 61-59, to Southside-Selma on Monday.

Bryant had 18 points in that game, and Hubbard had 14 points. Jeremiah Gates chipped in 13 points.

Jemison fell to Dallas County, 65-41, on Tuesday.

“We played hard, but I think having played two tough games in a short period of time took a toll on us in the second half of the game,” JHS coach Van Clements said. “And against a great team like Dallas County, you need to be clicking on all cylinders.”

Hardnett scored a team-high 12 points, Hubbard had eight points, and Gates and Randy Satterfield scored seven points each.

By Stephen Dawkins | Assistant Managing Editor

Jemison’s girls basketball team picked up its first win of the season, 42-31, at home Monday against Isabella.

The JHS boys also won, 86-34.

Panthers girls coach Leighsa Robinson said her team was more patient against Isabella’s pressure defense. Then, when in their halfcourt offense, the Panthers made good decisions and passed the ball well.

“And I think we played a much better defensive game,” Robinson said.

Isabella led 20-17 at halftime, but JHS tied the game at 24 on a three-pointer by Shelby Lopez with 3:22 remaining in the third period and took the lead on a pair of free throws by Shelby Griffin on the next possession.

The Panthers (1-3) outscored their visitors 16-7 in the third period.

Griffin, Lopez and Shayna Robinson each scored 10 points for Jemison.

Lopez had eight rebounds, and Laura Vinzant had seven.

Lopez and Vinzant each had five assists.

Isabella’s Savannah Kissel led all scorers with 12 points.

Tre Bryant scored 15 points in the first quarter and finished with 21 points to lead the Jemison boys (4-0).

Eddie Hubbard had 17 points, and Jeremiah Gates chipped in 11 points.

Tyler Edwards scored 13 points for Isabella.

Jemison’s boys also won on Dec. 2, 71-58 over rival Chilton County.

Bryant again got off to a hot start, outscoring the visitors 11-8 by himself in the first period.

Chilton’s Dyquan Floyd, though, wound up leading all scorers with 23 points.

Bryant had 20, Hubbard had 17, Gates had 14 and Randy Satterfield had 12 points for Jemison.

From Staff Reports

Chilton County’s girls went into enemy territory on Dec. 2 and earned a 26-21 win.

Lopez scored a game-high 13 points but was countered by 11 points from Keona DeJarnett and nine points from Chynna Davis.