Staff Reports

GAYLESVILLE – Jake Middlebrooks posted 16 points and 12 rebounds and Gavin Lang sank four 3-pointers and finished with 14 points to lead the Collinsville Panthers past Talladega County Central 48-37 in the Gaylesville Christmas Classic on Wednesday.

Shaun Stewart added seven points and six rebounds for the Panthers. Eli Griggs finished with six points and nine boards.

Jhovi Cole led the Tigers with 12 points, all on 3-pointers in the third quarter. Patrick Dosius, Thomas Gooden and Kendarius Hickman each finished with seven points.

Collinsville built a 14-7 first-quarter lead and held a 28-17 advantage at halftime. The Tigers battled back to take a 35-33 lead at the end of the third quarter, but Collinsville closed out the game on a 15-2 run in the fourth for the final.

Collinsville advances to the winners bracket to meet Asbury at 6:45 p.m. on Thursday. Talladega County Central faces Gaylesville in the losers bracket on Thursday at 1:45 p.m.