COLD SPRINGS — History was made on the hardwood Thursday night for Cold Springs High School.
Danville High paid its first ever visit to Jesse George Gymnasium with the Lady Hawks and Hawks eager to deliver potential upsets of the Lady Eagles and Eagles.
But that never materialized. Cold Springs was able to send Danville back into Morgan County winless on the young season.
The Eagles used a hot fourth period to turn back Danville 82-56. That came after the Lady Eagles had played solid defense and shut down Danville's scoring by the final margin of 51-33.
Both teams complete the first week of the 2015-16 season with a 2-0 mark.
Cold Springs started strong and ended the game the same way with Danville. The Eagles went on an 11-0 run to close the opening period and led 28-12. Seniors Triston Chambers and Josh Freeman were unstoppable with 27 points combined after 8:00 of play.
But the next two quarters were a struggle for Tim Willougby's Eagles. Cold Springs was outscored 19-11 in the second and 13-11 during the third by Danville.
Nevertheless, the Eagles were still ahead. It was 40-31 at the half, but just a 51-44 margin going into the final period.
The last period began with positive results. Freeman landed a three then a FG by Fisher Willoughby after a miss from the line by Freeman turned to be a 5-point swing and gave the Eagles a 56-44 advantage.
The lead would go to 66-51 a couple of minutes later thanks to a three-point play by Jesse Lee. Freeman and Lee combined for six field goals in the last period as the game all of sudden turned into domination by Cold Springs.
The Eagles bettered their point total than from the opener in which they scored 80 at Vinemont. Cold Springs accounted for 59 points through the first and fourth period while they had just 23 between the second and third quarter.
Freeman looked sharp in the home opener with 29 points while Chambers finished with 28 to cap off a big day for him. Earlier in the day, Chambers signed a national letter of intent to play at Samford University.
Lee scored 12 for the Eagles with Cayde Elliott getting his six points through the final period.
Jonathan Morgan topped a balanced attack for Danville with 17 while Andres Cordova scored 15 and Robert McCormick and Drew Fitzgerald had 10.
Cold Springs 51, Danville 33 (Girls)
Danville coach Paul Wilson said prior to the game, he had never started 0-2 in coaching 10 years at Danville. That changed due to the defensive effort of Tammy West's Lady Eagles.
After the offense managed just five first-half field goals, 17 points and a two-point lead at intermission, the Lady Eagles executed better with 34 points in the final 16:00, scoring 10 FGs, three baskets from three-point range, and five free throws.
But the defense allowed Danville just three baskets during the third with Cold Springs getting an 18-6 advantage in scoring and moving the lead to 35-21.
Six Lady Eagles accounted for the scoring in the fourth and a close contest at halftime was now an 18-point victory.
Bailey West got 15 to anchor balance for the Lady Eagles with Emme Willoughby scoring 14 and Camryn Crider 12.
Freshman Aubrey Negron made her impact with 15 rebounds. Rilee White failed to score, but made up for it with eight rebounds. Willoughby had eight rebounds and blocked four shots.
Cold Springs will have a week to get some work in before they have back-to-back road games next weekend. Both teams will be in Jasper next Thursday to play Walker then the two head to Joe Shults Gym next Friday for a county clash with Fairview.
Other Scores:
- Hartselle 63 – West Point 42 (G)
- Hartselle 61 – West Point 58
- Brilliant 40 – St. Bernard 34 (G)
- St. Bernard 62 – Brilliant 27
