By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

MONTEVALLO – The Montevallo Bulldogs wasted no time proving their staying power in Class 5A basketball, defeating the Selma Saints on the road 57-50 on Wednesday, Feb. 5 to claim the Class 5A, Area 5 championship.

Nahjear Russell, Buck Ross and Dee Cutts combined for 44 of Montevallo’s 57 points in the game as each of them scored in double figures. Russell led all scorers with 19 points, while Ross had 14 and Cutts had 11. In addition, Demeco Gibson scored eight points to help his team clinch the title.

Selma saw strong performances from Tristin Blockton, who scored 17 points, and Deshawn Flannigan, who had 10.

The Bulldogs opened the game playing through the three-headed monster of Russell, Ross and Cutts. The trio scored all 11 of Montevallo’s points in the first to give the Bulldogs an 11-9 lead headed to the second.

The Saints responded in the second quarter, outscoring the Bulldogs 15-11 to head to halftime up 24-22. Ladarian Brown scored five of his nine points in the quarter to lead Selma’s offense.

The third saw Montevallo once again retake control, outscoring the Saints 16-9 to head to the third quarter up 38-33. Five different players scored for the Bulldogs, and head coach Byron Gaskin’s defense tightened up to have Montevallo on the cusp of a title.

The fourth quarter was decided at the charity stripe. The Bulldogs scored 11 of their 19 points in the fourth from the free-throw line. Russell went 7-for-8 from the line in the fourth, making his trips to the line count when it mattered the most.

Selma scored 17 in the quarter to try to keep its season afloat. Blockton scored eight points in the period, but it wasn’t enough to topple Montevallo.

Up next for Montevallo is a sub-regionals game on Saturday, Feb. 6 at 6 p.m. at Montevallo High School against Holtville.