By MICKEL PONTHIEUX / Sports Reporter

NORTH SHELBY – The Thompson Warriors began 2013 with a statement as they defeated county-rival Oak Mountain Eagles 60-28 Jan. 4 on the road.

Thompson (19-2) took a 18-4 lead after the first quarter of play while holding the Eagles scoreless for nearly seven minutes. The Warriors added 11 points in the second to take a 29-9 lead at the half.

The Warriors opened the second half on a 9-2 run to extend the lead to 38-11 on their way to a 42-15 lead headed into the fourth quarter.

The Eagles battled basket-for-basket to start the fourth, but a 3-pointer by Caleb Johnson with over four minutes left gave Thompson a 30-point lead and a running clock. The Johnson three sparked a 7-2 run by the Warriors for the 60-28 final score,

Johnson led all scorers with 19 points with Rashad Strother adding 13 points for Thompson.

Deshawn Giles led Oak Mountain with nine points, seven of which came in the fourth quarter. Marquis Smith added eight points for Oak Mountain.