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Alex Reese watch the ball head toward the basket after battling through a triple team. (Reporter photo/Alec Etheredge)

By ALEC ETHEREDGE | Sports Editor

BIRMINGHAM – The No. 1 6A Pelham Panthers opened the first round of the Steel City Invitational with a 67-54 win over Hale County. It marked their ninth consecutive win of the season.

The matchup featured two Alabama basketball signees in Pelham’s Alex Reese and Hale County’s Herb Jones.

Both teams came out and traded baskets early with Reese, Justin Allison and Seth Torman all combining for Pelham’s first 11 points to jump out to an 11-9 lead.

Torman came out on fire for Pelham (10-1) to start the game and proceeded to go on a 4-0 run by himself, which gave him eight of the Panthers first 15 points and a 15-9 lead. Torman was 4-5 shooting in the quarter.

Pelham made a couple of more baskets and after an Allison 3-pointer they had jumped out to a 22-11 lead before Hale County hit a three at the end of the quarter to only trail 22-14.

Pelham continued the great play into the second quarter as they went on an early 9-6 run and took a 31-19 lead behind Reese who had 11 points and six rebounds early in the second quarter.

Allison added his 10^th point shortly after to give Pelham a 35-23 lead and two double-digit scorers early in the second. Hale County clawed their way back into the game after going on a 9-0 run to cut the Panthers’ lead to 35-32.

Torman ended the run as he sliced down the lane for a layup to give Pelham a third scorer in double figures late in the first half alone. Each team added one more basket after to make the halftime lead 29-34.

Just like the first half, Reese opened up scoring in the third with an easy layup for his 13^th point. Allison hits 3-pointer next possession for his 13^th point as both picked up right where they left off. After a couple of baskets by Hale County Allison hit another jumper and 3-pointer to go on a 5-0 run by himself and put Pelham on top by 11, 49-38. The points gave Allison 18 points in just 20 minutes of action.

The rest of the Pelham Calvary added to the run to eventually push it to an 11-2 run and go up by 15 at 55-40. Hale County added a 3-pointer late and Pelham another fast-break basket to make the score 57-43 after three quarters.

Allison scored his 24^th point early in the fourth off an easy layup, which was the theme the entire fourth quarter for Pelham as Hale County had several turnovers leading to easy baskets.

Pelham took advantage and went on an 8-5 run to go up 65-48 midway through the fourth. In the process Reese got his 10^th rebound for a double-double.

The Panthers held off Hale County down the stretch to win by the final of 67-54.

Allison led Pelham with 24 points, five rebounds and five assists in the game, while Reese added yet another double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Torman gave the Panthers a third guy with double-digit points as well as a second guy with 5 assists after adding 14 points and four assists.

Pelham will now move on to play Homewood tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Pete Hanna Center.

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