By MARK WINDHAM / For the Reporter

CALERA — Montevallo High School girls’ basketball coach Tina Niven knew coming into a Dec. 15 game with rival Calera that the Eagles had an older and more experienced team.

After hanging with Calera for the first half, the Eagles used a 16-2 third quarter to pull away for a 48-24 victory over the visiting Bulldogs.

A’Kia Harris and Tyesha Haynes, who scored four points each during the third quarter for Calera, led the team in scoring with Harris finishing with 16 points and Haynes adding 15 points.

Freshman Miya Farrington led Montevallo with eight points. Senior Kayla Cunningham added seven points for the Bulldogs.

The loss drops Montevallo to 5-5 on the season. The Bulldogs will be back in action Friday when they take on Vincent in the Shelby County Tournament.

Calera improves to 5-3 on the season and will open play against Briarwood Christian on Saturday in the Shelby County Tournament.

Calera coach James Knowles knows his Eagles have a challenge on their hand with Briarwood.

“They are a very good team and it is going to be a big challenge for our girls,” Knowles said. “We are going to have to play a good game and take care of the ball.”

BOYS

Calera High School’s Deondre Haynes and Montevallo’s Korey Cunningham put on a show for fans to enjoy Dec. 15, but in the end Haynes and the Eagles earned a commanding 81-53 over their cross-county rival.

Haynes finished the night with 26 points for the Eagles. Jeremy Hyde added 13 points and Ronnie Clark chipped in 11 points.

The Eagles improved to 10-1 on the season. Calera will be in action again on Saturday in the Shelby County Tournament against the winner of Shelby County and Montevallo.

Cunningham led the way for the Bulldogs with 24 points. Antwan Cunningham added 10 points for the visitors.

The loss drops Montevallo to 3-6 on the season. The Bulldogs will be in action on Friday against Shelby County in the Shelby County Tournament.