By WESLEY HALLMAN / Sports Editor

CALERA — The Shelby County High School boys’ basketball team jumped out to an early lead and held on down the stretch in the second half to defeat Montevallo 53-40 in the opening round of the Shelby County tournament Dec. 16 at Calera High School.

Tyler Madison led the Wildcats (4-9) with 22 points in the victory.

Brandon McKinney added 13 points. Justis Martin chipped in 11 points.

Denzel Williams finished with three points. James Gayden and Emmanuel Hall contributed two points each.

Korey Cunningham led the Bulldogs (4-7) with a game-high 28 points.

Garrius Chappell added eight points. A.J. Green and Antwan Cunningham chipped in two points each.

Madison completed a three-point play with 2:24 remaining in the first quarter to give the Wildcats an early 8-2 lead.

Madison and McKinney combined to knock down five free throws in a row midway through the second quarter to push the Wildcats’ lead to 22-7.

Korey Cunningham scored a layup at the buzzer in the second quarter, which cut the deficit to 26-13 heading into the locker room at halftime.

Shelby County kept the Bulldogs at bay in the second half in the 13-point victory.

The Wildcats advanced to face Calera in the tournament quarterfinals Dec. 17.