CHATSWORTH, Ga. -- It's not often a basketball team can check off two long-term goals in one night. However, that's just what the Calhoun Yellow Jackets did Monday.
Playing their third game in five days, the Jackets used a devastating start to get up big on North Murray and cruised to a 67-45 road win. The victory improved Calhoun to 17-3 overall and 14-0 in Region 6-AAA, clinching the regular-season title and the right to host next week's region tournament. Also, as region champs the Jackets earn a bye into the tournament semifinals, thus already clinching a state playoff berth.
"That was goal No. 1 on our board in the preseason, so check that one off, and we're headed to the state, so there's another one," said Calhoun coach Vince Layson.
Five quick points from Ray Reeves sparked a 12-2 run to start the game, the final four coming off a pair of Kaelan Riley-to-Jireh Wilson passes and layups. Wilson, the 6-foot junior guard, scored seven more points in the opening period, the final points on a 3-pointer at the buzzer for a rousing 22-5 lead.
Calhoun had great success spreading the floor and either taking open jump shots or making strong drives.
"That's one of those things that just happens," Layson said of the offensive sets. "We don't go in with a set plan offensively most nights. We usually go with the hot hand, however that plays out, and tonight spreading it out seemed to work and Jireh was hot early."
The lead was 33-14 at halftime, and when Riley started the third period with a jumper and a steal and layup, it ignited a killing 12-2 run that took any potential drama out of the game. The lead grew to 54-25 at the end of three quarters, and it wasn't long before the starters were out for good.
"It's always fun to play North Murray here," said junior point guard Riley, who had a game-high 13 rebounds and four steals to go with eight points. "They're a good basketball team and we know we might see them again in the region tournament. We wanted to come out here and make a statement. We're getting there as a team."
Wilson topped the Jackets with 18 points, with reserve Dylan Greeson adding 10 and Chapin Rierson, Reeves and Malik Lawrence adding nine each. Jordan Couch topped the Mountaineers (17-6, 11-4) with 11 points.
North Murray is currently in third place in the standings with one game remaining and is one game behind Ringgold.
For Calhoun, the question now is whether Layson gives his starters some time off in the final two region games.
"I'm kind of torn on whether to rest them much in the final two games," he said. "We've talked about being perfect in the region, so I kind of want to do that. However, I will say I was impressed with our depth tonight, so that gives me some relief knowing we can count on those guys, and I feel comfortable resting the guys some."
Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6296.