By MICKEL PONTHIEUX / Sports Reporter

COLUMBIANA – The Shelby County Wildcats began to distance themselves from the Vincent Yellow Jackets in the second half to take a 69-50 victory in the second round of the Shelby County tournament Dec. 20.

The Wildcats jumped out to 13-6 lead after the first quarter, but Vincent made a rally in the second. The Yellow Jackets cut the Shelby County lead down to three late in the first half after a 7-2 run for a 22-19 score with two minutes left. The Wildcats outscored Vincent 5-4 down the stretch to claim the 27-23 halftime lead.

Vincent’s Jamal McCrimon cut the Wildcats’ lead to one with a three early in the third, but Shelby County responded with a 7-0 run led by Tyler Madison.

Madison scored 12 of Shelby County’s 21 points in the third to give the Wildcats a 48-38 lead into the final quarter.

The Wildcats added another 21 points in the fourth including a 10-for-13 performance at the free throw line to seal the 69-50 win.

Madison led all scorers with 23 points for Shelby County. Justus Martin scored 14 points for the Wildcats and Brandon McKinney added nine points.

Anterio Rogers led Vincent with 14 points. Tyler Williams scored 13 points for the Yellow Jackets while McCrimon finished with 10 points.

The Wildcats will take on Pelham in the tournament semifinals.