By WESLEY HALLMAN / Sports Editor

ALABASTER — The Thompson High School boys’ basketball team didn’t want to disappoint its passionate fan base.

The Warriors were christening a newly renovated gymnasium, recently completed with the help of a $14,000 donation by the Alabaster Sports and Entertainment Foundation.

A packed crowd showed up Jan. 14 to check out the new digs and cheer on Thompson against Class 6A, Area 10 opponent Oak Mountain.

The Warriors made sure their fans went home happy, with junior forward Kenny Nabors knocking down two game-clinching free throws with 29 seconds left on the clock to lift Thompson to a 42-40 win over the Eagles.

A deflected shot and attempted putback by Oak Mountain each came up short in the final 8.5 seconds, ensuring the Warriors’ victory.

“Kenny’s free throws were just clutch,” said Thompson coach Patrick Davis.

Demarcus Threatt led Thompson (14-8 overall, 2-0 in Class 6A, Area 10) with a game-high 20 points.

Davis praised Threatt’s shot selection in the victory. Threatt finished 4-of-6 from beyond the arc.

“It’s no secret; he’s definitely our best scorer,” Davis said. “He’s taking better shots to get his points. The bottom line is he wants to win.”

Ryan Spence and Elisha Neville added six points each. Nabors, who also took a charge in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter, contributed five points.

Jaylon Jones chipped in four points.

Colton McGriff led Oak Mountain (9-9 overall, 1-1 in Class 6A, Area 10) with 13 points.

Bert Seitz added 11 points. Garrett Cosgrove contributed nine points. Heath Quinn chipped in four points.

Following a basket by Seitz in the game’s opening minute, the Warriors took control and never trailed the rest of the way.

Threatt’s 3-pointer early in the third quarter gave Thompson its biggest lead of the game at 26-16.

Oak Mountain chipped away at the lead before tying the game at 38-38 with 2:24 remaining following a layup and a free throw by Seitz. Threatt and Seitz scored a basket each in the final minutes before Nabors’ free throws clinched the victory.

After dropping two games in a tournament in late December, Davis said the Warriors are back on the right track with two straight area victories.

“We preach that it’s all about winning games in January and February,” Davis said.