By TREY HICKMAN/For the Reporter

CENTREVILLE — Simply put, big-time players come through in the clutch.

They amp up their game when they’re needed the most. They strap their team to their back and carry it to victory. In the opening round of the Class 4A Area 7 tournament in varsity boys basketball Feb. 7, that team was Calera and that player was Jordan Bishop.

Of Bishop’s game-high 19 points, 10 came in the fourth quarter as the Eagles controlled that final period to end visiting Jemison’s season with a 56-44 win.

In the final quarter, when Bishop wasn’t swishing a hook shot, he was completing a three-point play. He was also 4-of-5 from the free throw line. A force from his power forward position all year for Calera, Bishop fueled the Eagles’ comeback after they ended the third period down by two.

“Jordan Bishop, he came alive in that fourth quarter,” said Calera head coach George Drake. “I can’t say better things about that kid. He’s a warrior. He does some damage down there on the block. Sometimes I can’t get (the ball to him) enough because he’s so efficient down there on the block under the goal. He had a really big game for us tonight.”

Both teams began the game with offensive struggles, especially Calera. Though the Eagles scored the final five points of the opening quarter, Jemison held a one-point lead heading into the second period. The next two quarters also ended with the Panthers on top, though Calera held the advantage at the only point it really matters: the end of the game.

In addition to Bishop’s clutch quarter, disparate results from the free-throw line in that final period also helped the Eagles to victory. Jemison converted only 1-of-7 attempts, while Calera was 10-for-13.

Bishop powered Calera with 19 points and six rebounds while Ronnie Clark added seven points. Chasen Baker and Henry Davis had six points apiece while Tyler Harrell grabbed seven rebounds in the win.

Calera will play Bibb County in Centreville Feb. 10 for the area championship at 7.