Chelsea’s girls top Calera to start area play 2-0

Published 12:20 am Saturday, January 12, 2019

By ALEC ETHEREDGE | Sports Editor 

CHELSEA – Heading into their area matchup against one another on Friday, Jan. 11, the Chelsea Hornets and Calera Eagles were both in different situations.

The Hornets were looking to keep momentum going form an area victory against Pelham earlier in the week to improve to 2-0 in area play, while the Eagles were looking to gain some confidence after dropping their area opener to Helena earlier in the week.

Despite trailing at the half and hitting a stale stretch, it was Chelsea that was able to pull off the victory thanks to clutch play offensively from Sydney Schwallie and great defense from the entire team.

The first half featured a tail of two quarters with Chelsea (8-10, 2-0) winning the opening eight minutes and Calera (7-11, 0-2) winning the second eight heading into the half.

Chelsea came out on fire with confidence after its area win against Pelham just three days earlier, which led to a 9-1 run to start the game.

A big reason for that success was the Hornets’ constant defensive pressure the length of the court which led to turnovers by Calera and no great shot opportunities.

The Eagles failed to hit a field goal until seven minutes in but then went on to score five points on two field goals in the next minute to cut Chelsea’s advantage to three points at 9-6.

Both teams traded baskets the rest of the period with the Hornets eventually grabbing a 13-8 advantage heading to the second, but Calera was starting to sense a momentum shift.

The Eagles started the second quarter on a 9-0 run to storm in front and take a 17-13 lead. After failing to make a basket for the first seven minutes of the game, they had all of a sudden made seven in the last four minutes.

Chelsea bounced back to tie the game again at 19-19, but offensive rebounds by Calera and turnovers by the Hornets led to the Eagles extending the lead back to four, 23-19, at the halftime break.

Coming out of the locker room, Chelsea had clearly made adjustments and was able to get back to what made the team so successful early in the opening period.

The Hornets got three consecutive made shots from Schwallie, two of which she had her foot on the 3-point line for and the other a 3-pointer, to quickly get back in the game.

A big reason for that success was the made baskets. Every time the Hornets made a basket, they were able to set up the full-court press, which Calera had trouble handling all night.

With the Eagles turning it over, it created more chances for Chelsea.

Trailing 27-26 with the seconds ticking off in the quarter, Ellen Fleming was able to drive baseline with a strong move before laying the ball in at the buzzer to give the Hornets a 28-27 lead heading to the final quarter.

Jordan Parker and Pressely Rains continued that trend into the final quarter both knocking down shots for a quick 5-0 to start the quarter for the Hornets, which extended their lead to 33-27.

AB Davis had a response for the Eagles, however, and hit back-to-back layups to bring her team within two points.

Chelsea eventually extended the lead back to six points at 37-31, but yet again, Calera had an answer and brought it all the way back to a 37-35 game after a steal and layup with 1:07 left.

After Schwallie hit the second of two free throws, Calera inbounded the ball only to have it stolen by Parker with 33.2 seconds left. Schwallie then went on to hit two consecutive free throws to give Chelsea a 40-35 lead.

Calera then scored with 4.1 left to play, but Ellen Fleming was able to step to the line and ice the game with 2.7 left to give the Hornets a 42-37 victory.

Schwallie led Chelsea with 12 points, while Rains added 10 points. Behind that, Fleming had eight and Parker had six.

Calera was led by Davis with 17 points.