PLANTERSVILLE — Dallas County didn’t trail the entire way in an 88-63 win over Marbury Tuesday night in Plantersville.

Mario Simmons made a 3-pointer on the game’s first possession — one of 11 3-pointers the Hornets made in the game — and led the rest of the way, although the Bulldogs stuck around for a while. Marbury’s first five made baskets were 3-pointers and with seven minutes left, it was only an 11-point game.

The Hornets finished the game on a 24-10 run to slam the door and to move on to the class 5A, area 6 championship game on Friday night in Plantersville. They’ll play Calera, who edged past Jemison Tuesday, for the title and a home game in the sub-regional round of the playoffs.

“I’d like to win one more area championship for Dallas County,” said Hornets coach Willie Moore, who is coaching his last basketball season.

No matter what happens Friday, Moore is guaranteed at least one more game to coach the Hornets. Tuesday’s win ensured Dallas County (18-4) a spot in the sub-regional portion of the AHSAA playoffs, but they’ll need a win Friday to play that game in Plantersville.

The Hornets would love to reciprocate Tuesday’s start on Friday night.

Simmons made two 3-pointers to lead the Hornets to an 11-0 lead out of the gate. Point guard Andre Hall rolled his ankle on one of the opening possessions and left the game for a while before returning showing no sign of an injury.

“We wanted to see how he was going to move, wanted to get him taped up,” Moore said. “He’ll be alright.”

Marbury made four first quarter 3-pointers to pull within 17-12, but the Bulldogs couldn’t keep up for four quarters. Kendall Thomas made back to back 3-pointers from the corner to put the Hornets up 38-23 in the second quarter. Dallas County led 41-27 at the half.

Hall started the second half by making field goals on Dallas County’s first four possessions. Marbury continued to stick around, even after trailing by 19, and pulled within 64-53 on a Kobe Wohler’s 3-pointer a minute into the fourth.

“We were able to get some easy transition baskets late in the game,” Moore said. “That allowed us to get a couple of made 3-point shots but we are looking for a level of consistency. I want to see more from our post guys and we are going to need them to step up if we are going to have a chance to win.”

Thomas knocked in two more 3-pointers and Kedrick Wilson scored 7 points in the fourth to help Dallas County pull away.

Hall led the Hornets in scoring with 18 points and Thomas and Wilson added 12 apiece.

The Hornets game against Calera Friday night will start at 6:30 p.m.
Montevallo 84, Southside 45 (Girls)

Southside (12-13) saw its season end Tuesday in a 84-45 loss to Montevallo in the first round of the class 3A, area 5 tournament. Sharita Benjamin scored 19 points and Alexus Acoff had 8 for the Panthers.

 

Ellwood Christian 54, Maplesville 46 (Boys)

Ellwood Christian advanced to the class 1A, area 5 tournament championship with a 54-46 win over Maplesville Tuesday night. The Eagles were led by Chris Lee, who had 13 points and 12 rebounds, and Loveless Craig, who had 13 points. Ellwood will play Autaugaville in the championship game Friday night at 6 p.m. at Autaugaville High School. The teams split two meetings this year.
Isabella 77, Ellwood Christian 21 (Girls)

Ellwood Christian’s season ended Monday in the class 1A, area 5 tournament semifinals. No stats were provided for this game.
Marbury 51,Dallas County 46 (Girls)

Dallas County’s season ended Monday in the class 5A, area 6 tournament semifinals. No stats were provided for this game.
Selma boys game postponed

Selma’s game against Chilton County Tuesday afternoon was postponed due to severe weather impacting the area. The game was moved to Wednesday at 6 p.m. It’ll still be played at Stanhope Elmore.