By SETH HAGAN | For the Reporter

ALABASTER – The Thompson girls basketball team picked up a solid win at home against a county opponent and exacted a little revenge as well, as the Warriors took care of the Chelsea Hornets Monday, Dec 10, 51-37.

Defensive adjustments were key in the rematch between the two teams, and a change of scenery certainly didn’t hurt the Warriors as they improved to 5-6 on the season.

Thompson got it going from outside early as Brooklyn Oden and Lindsey Cook hit threes to get the team started. It became obvious from the first period on that the Warriors were going to crash the offensive boards and were able to score off second chance points.

Senior Zoria Miller was especially adept in the paint grabbing five of the team’s 10 offensive boards on the night, scoring six of her 10 points off rebounds.

“She’s an undersized post player for us so we try to tell her not to settle for being behind, spinning around and get those backside rebounds,” said head coach JoVanka Ward. “Being undersized you have to be active and that’s what we try to tell her to do is use your activity to try and make something happen and shake things up in the paint.”

The Warriors led 8-6 after the first quarter, but the tempo quickly picked up from there. Ward switched up her defensive strategy from the first meeting and employed her 1-2-2 zone defense.

The move clogged the middle keeping Chelsea’s shooters on the outside and preventing them from getting to the boards. Thompson was also able to go without fouling for the first 11 minutes of the ballgame while simultaneously getting into the bonus by aggressively attacking the basket on offense.

Thompson got baskets from six different players in the second quarter while allowing only two from the Hornets and, despite their troubles at the foul line, took a 20-11 lead into the locker room.

The third quarter turned into a massive free-for-all, as the teams combined for 18 turnovers in the period. Chelsea’s full-court press garnered results, but the Warriors were suffocating again in their half court sets.

The Hornets drew within six points at 27-21, but Oden quickly answered with another three and Chelsea was unable to get any closer than seven the rest of the way. Oden had her best quarter in the fourth scoring nine of her team-high 22 points.

The Warriors also continued to get the Hornets into foul trouble and found themselves in the bonus with four minutes remaining in the game. That, plus Thompson’s best offensive quarter of the game, was enough to keep Chelsea at bay as they sunk eight of their final 11 free throws.

The Warriors also limited every Hornet scorer from reaching double digits.

“I try to tell them that’s the difference in ballgames, you know, and we haven’t been strong from the free throw line so we’re working on it,” Ward said.

Thompson will stay at home and look to avenge another early-season loss later this week when they host the Homewood Patriots this Friday, Dec 14. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.