By ALEC ETHEREDGE | Sports Editor

CHELSEA – It was an impressive senior night for the Chelsea boys basketball team, as Matthew Lanzi, Daniel Washington, Robert Marquet and Turner Griffin all played a part in the Hornets picking up a 53-43 victory against 7A opponent Tuscaloosa County on Thursday, Jan. 31.

Lanzi and Washington in particular had special nights for likely the last time on their home floor posting a combined 30 points, starting with an impressive opening period.

In the first quarter, those two posted all 14 of Chelsea’s points with Lanzi scoring nine points on four field goals and Washington posting five points, including an and-1.

That scoring combined with a strong defensive effort that saw the Hornets hold Tuscaloosa County to just six points, allowed them to take a 14-6 advantage at the end of the first quarter.

Following Lanzi and Washington, Bryant Royster came out on fire in the second period and posted four field goals for eight points to help Chelsea put up its second consecutive 14-point quarter.

The Wildcats started to get some offensive answers themselves thanks to six points from Shenderious Horton, who scored six points in the frame to keep his team within shouting distance heading into the half.

Still, the Hornets had done enough to extend their lead by two more points after outscoring Tuscaloosa County 14-12 in the period, which gave them a 28-18 lead at the break.

Coming out of the half, the game turned a little bit more defensive with the Hornets having to earn points at the free throw line and Tuscaloosa County struggling to find any rhythm.

Chelsea’s halftime message had to be strong defense, knowing that the six points the Hornets gave up in the opening period was what they were capable of and not the 12 points given up in the second quarter.

Their difference on that end of the floor became key to extending the lead at the end of the third period.

Tuscaloosa County hit just two field goals in the frame, while knocking down three free throws to post seven points.

While Chelsea’s offense wasn’t making a ton of field goals, the defensive nature of the quarter helped the team get to the free throw line.

The Hornets were able to hit seven of their eight free throws in the quarter, which accounted for all but four of their 11 points to help extend their lead once again taking a 39-25 advantage into the final quarter of the game.

Tuscaloosa County turned up the pressure in the fourth quarter posting its best frame of the game. Thanks to an 8-11 mark at the free throw line and four made field goals, including two 3-pointers, the Wildcats posted 18 points.

Chelsea, however, held steady in the frame knocking down six more free throws in eight attempts, while also hitting four more field goals to post 14 points for the third quarter of the game.

Washington played big in the period posting six more points to book end an impressive outing, as he helped the Hornets hold on for the 53-43 victory.

His six points in the final period and five in the opening quarter were part of a 13-point night for the senior, while Lanzi led the way with 17 points thanks to six field goals and a 4-4 mark at the free throw line. Royster and Jacob Tierney both added eight points.