George Drake blocked five shots as third-ranked Calera thwarted Altamont for the third time this season to claim the Class 2A, Area 8 title.

Drake had an explosive second half, throwing down back-to-back dunks to excite Calera fans on the way to a 71-55 victory.

He finished with 15 points and 12 rebounds and was named tournament MVP.

Trey Russell led the Eagles in scoring with 16 points.

&uot;We just got into a defensive rythm and really got after them,&uot; said Calera coach Robert Burdette. &uot;When they had to go strictly man-to-man, they had difficulty guarding. They’re really not a man-to-man team.

&uot;We just feel like when you have to play man-to-man against us, we’ve got some players and some sets that can give you problems.&uot;

SCHS wins Area 5 title

Cortez Cotton scored 21 points and pulled down 10 rebounds Monday night to lead Shelby County to the 5A, Area 5 championship.

The fifth-ranked Wildcats defeated Chilton County, 58-45, in the finals to claim the title and earn a home game in Friday’s subregionals.

In other area games: Class 2A, Area 8 at Calera – Vincent 56, Shades Mountain 45; Calera 96, Vincent 39. Class 3A, Area 7 at Midfield – Northside 68, Indian Springs 61 OT; Class 4A, Area 8 at Holt – Holt 69, Montevallo 42; Oak Grove 42, Chelsea 41. Class 5A, Area 5 at Shelby County – Shelby County 80, Stanhope Elmore 53. Class 5A, Area 8 at Talladega – Briarwood Christian 45, Oxford 36. Talladega 55, Briarwood Christian 43. Class 6A, Area 6 at Mountain Brook – Thompson 65, Hoover 48; Oak Mountain 47, Pelham 22; Vestavia 45, Spain Park 42; Vestavia 37, Oak Mountain 31; Mountain Brook 47, Thompson 42; Consolation – Oak Mountain 58, Thompson 23