By DREW GRANTHUM/Sports Writer

HOMEWOOD —  The Westminster-Oak Mountain boys basketball team never trailed in its contest with the Alabama School for the Deaf on Jan. 10, taking a dominating 66-22 win over the Silent Warriors.

The Knights got out to a huge lead early, courtesy of the play of Jacob Welch. Welch scored 11 of the Knights first 16 points, as he, Gabe Touliatos and Joseph Ankenbrandt pushed Westminster-Oak Mountain out to a 16-0 lead.

The Silent Warriors got on the board near the end of the quarter, but two Welch 3-pointers put the Knights up 24-2 after one quarter of play.

ASD started the second quarter scoring with two free throws before Welch nailed another 3-pointer. A basket by ASD followed, with Welch netting three points on a basket and the and-1 shot after. Luke Touliatos followed with a pair of free throws and a basket, and the Knights closed the first half on a 6-2 run to take a 38-8 lead.

The second half saw more scoring for the Knights. Malcolm Messer knocked down the first basket of the half, and Luke Touliatos swished two corner three’s to help the Knights jump out on a 8-4 run.

Ankenbrandt provided the next basket, with Gabe Touliatos, Logan Richburg, Luke Touliatos and Ben Moore all combining for a nine-point run to extend the lead to 59-16 at the end of the third quarter.

With the game firmly in hand for the Knights, the fourth quarter became a defensive bout for the two squads. Luke Touliatos kicked off the period with a basket, and Gabe Touliatos followed suit with a free throw. A pair of Silent Warrior 3-pointers Holden Hess were split by baskets by Gabe Toulitatos and Messer baskets, and the Knights cruised to the 66-22 final.

Head coach Daryle Butler said he was proud of the effort by his squad.

“Honestly, we’re down some players due to injuries, so just proud of the guys for coming out (and playing well),” he said. “They played hard. We have some guys that can shoot the ball pretty well on any given night.”

The Knights move on to face Montevallo Jan. 13.