By MICKEL PONTHIEUX / Sports Reporter

COLUMBIANA – The Pelham Panthers trailed by one at the half, but came out on fire in the third quarter to claim a 66-46 win over the Calera Eagles in the second round of the Shelby County tournament Dec. 20.

The Panthers trailed Calera 25-24 at the half, but took the lead early in the third quarter. Pelham began the second half on a 6-2 run for a 30-27 advantage, then went on a 10-0 for a 44-30 lead with under two minutes left in the quarter. Pelham closed the third on a 6-2 stretch to complete a 26-point third to take a 50-34 lead into the fourth.

The Panthers outscored Calera 15-12 in the fourth to take the 66-46 win.

Pelham started the game with a 7-2 lead, but the Eagles rallied back to take a 13-11 lead at the end of the first quarter on an 8-0 run.

Pelham tied the score twice in the second, but Ronnie Clark gave Calera a 25-24 lead on a put-back basket.

Dakota Clark led Pelham with 17 points and Kenny Meadows added 10 points with four steals. JT Kepler and Zach Morton each had eight points with Morton adding seven rebounds. Zach Allison finished with five points and five assists.

Clark led the Eagles with 17 points and Jordan Bishop finished with 10 points.

The Panthers will face Shelby County in the semifinals while the Eagles will play Briarwood in a consolation game.