The 2018 Chilton County Basketball Tournament ended with a thrilling game, as Chilton County High School held on to defeat Maplesville 53-52 in the boys championship game.

“It’s tremendous for us, because we’re trying to establish something here,” CCHS head coach Deon Timmons said. “My seniors Joey [Cleckler], Mondez [Jones] and Patrick [Rogers] are irreplaceable.”

Both teams went on lengthy scoring runs during the game, and it all started with CCHS posting the first 18 points of the contest.

The Tigers led 23-13 at halftime, but the big lead disappeared thanks to the long range shooting of Maplesville freshman Jackson Abbott, who knocked down seven three-pointers in the game including four of those in the third quarter.

Maplesville grabbed the momentum and its first lead, 32-31 with 2:15 left in the third quarter.

However, it was CCHS that had the game’s final say and senior Mondez Jones that helped lead the charge.

“Our guys came back and got after it,” Timmons said. “That’s how Chilton County basketball is as a whole.”

Jones finished the game with a double-double and team-highs with 20 points and 12 rebounds.

Abbott’s prolific shooting night continued until the game’s final shot, which he sank from beyond the arc as time expired, but Maplesville remained one point shy of tying it up.

“I’ve got to give a lot of respect and admiration to the players of Maplesville High School,” Timmons said. “Their resilience was awesome.”

Abbott led all scorers with 24 points, all but three of which were scored in the second half.

The Red Devils were held scoreless in the first quarter and did not get on the scoreboard until Nathanial Watson hit a free throw with just less than six minutes left in the second quarter.

However, things began to click toward the end of the second quarter. Shortly after Maplesville head coach Stacy McGehee was given a technical foul, Abbott hit his first three-pointer and Nathanial Watson swatted a ball into the crowd on defense.

Patrick Rogers of CCHS sank some big free throws to secure the victory in the waning moments and added 12 points.

“They came back on us, but we knew we just had to stay calm and play our game,” Rogers said.

It was the fourth straight year that the Chilton County varsity boys had won the county title, which is quite a long time to hold bragging rights on the hardwood.

“It means a lot and helps us earn that respect every year,” Rogers said.