Rivalry games are always important, but Tuesday’s Jemison-Chilton County contests had even more meaning.

For 11 Jemison and CCHS seniors, it was the last shot they would get against their counterparts.

Chilton’s senior boys—Taylor Hughes, Darnell Spear and Josh Williams—finished their careers unbeaten against Jemison with Tuesday’s 75-61 win.

“This is a small class for us,” CCHS coach Donnie Hand said. “We usually have more seniors than that. They’re three good kids that work hard, and they’ve done a good job this year.”

Jemison’s senior girls—Tabatha Cork, Samantha Glass and Codi Mims—defeated CCHS, 48-43, for the second time this season after having not taken down the Tigers since their freshman season.

“For the last two weeks, they’ve been playing really well, executing,” Jemison coach Leighsa Robinson said. “They’ve been playing excellent defense, and that’s what you need going into your area tournament.”

And many of the seniors played crucial roles in the outcomes.

Both Hughes and Spear scored 14 for CCHS, topped only by Grantland Karn’s 17.

Karn also led the Tigers (13-11) with 10 rebounds. Spear and Hughes had nine and seven boards, respectively.

Hughes also had seven assists.

Jemison’s senior trio of Scottie Hall (11 points), Brandon Jones (eight) and Cornelius Strong (five) accounted for 24 of their team’s points.

“Scottie and Brandon have been our inside game all year,” Jemison coach Stacy McGehee said. “[Strong] has done a good job of carrying the team on the court from the point.”

Trey Bryant led the Panthers (7-15) with 17 points.

Codi Mims, Kelsey Mims and Katika Nunn all scored 13 points for the Lady Panthers.

Nunn pulled down 11 rebounds, and Kelsey Mims had 10 rebounds.

Tuesday’s game marked the last for CCHS girls seniors Arteria Collins and Ciara Hines.