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By ANDREW SIMONSON | Sports Editor

TUSCALOOSA – The remarkable run of the Chelsea Hornets to start the season continued as the Hornets beat the Tuscaloosa County Wildcats 52-43 to improve to 5-0 and open the Northridge Thanksgiving Tournament on Monday, Nov. 20.

While the game was decided by single digits, it took a big third quarter from Chelsea to swing the contest in its favor and bring home the nine-point win.

Haley Trotter, Sadie Schwallie and Caroline Brown all hit double figures against the Wildcats to help the Hornets continue their winning streak.

Schwallie opened the game with seven in the first quarter as Chelsea scored 18 in the opening frame to set the tone early.

Tuscaloosa County funneled its offense through Breanna Walker, who scored 27 points in the contest, and that kept the game close when combined with the Wildcats’ defense, which held Chelsea scoreless and to just one basket from the field in the second quarter.

However, the Hornets roared back to life in the third quarter, dropping 17 in that time frame including nine from Trotter to grab hold of the lead.

That proved to be the difference maker in the game. Even as the Wildcats lurked within striking distance, Chelsea’s stellar shooting from the free throw line put the game away.

The Hornets went 7-for-8 on free throws in the fourth quarter as Brown, Schwallie, Trotter and Juliann Bass all made baskets from the foul stripe to secure the 52-43 victory.

Trotter led the Hornets with 19 points, while Schwallie had 14 points and Brown scored 12.