TALLADEGA — Talladega’s defensive intensity proved to be the difference as they defeated Childersburg 71-56 on Wednesday night. The Tigers stifling defensive helped Talladega outscore Childersburg 21-9 in the fourth quarter.

“I thought our substitute guards did a great job on ball pressure,” Talladega head coach Chucky Miller said. “It caused some of their turnovers and it helped us that Childersburg played last night. They were probably a little tired in the fourth quarter.”

In the first quarter Talladega didn’t have an answer for Childersburg’s LaDavious Battle as he scored the first five points of the ball game. Talladega quickly adjusted as they turned to their full court pressure defense. The Tigers created seven consecutive turnovers, which led to a 14-0 run. In his first action of the season Semaj Roberson drilled a three pointer from the right wing to give the Tigers a 21-9 lead. The visiting Tigers went on a 6-0 run to end the quarter to cut the lead down to 21-16.

The momentum that Childersburg gained in the first quarter carried over into the second quarter. Tarry McElrath’s lay-up capped off a 9-2 second quarter run and gave the Tigers a 25-23 lead with 4:01 before half time. At the end of the half Tyler Mosley and Roberson orchestrated a 9-4 run to give Talladega a 39-35 lead. Mosley penetrated through the Childersburg defense and dropped off a behind the back bounce pass to Micah Taylor for a one-hand dunk. On the Tigers next two possessions Roberson drained two three pointers to give Talladega a 36-33 lead with 33 seconds left. Mosley knocked down a deep three pointer a few seconds later to give Talladega 39-33 lead.

“We came out real good, but all of a sudden we lost our intensity,” Miller said. “Childersburg is a great team and all of a sudden it is tied back up. Our team has to learn how to finish what it started, just because it is going your way it doesn’t mean that it’s going to go your way the whole game.”

In the second half Childersburg was able to stick around and cut Talladega’s lead down one and two points on three occasions. Garrett’s put back cut the Tigers lead down to one point 48-47 but that’s as close as they would get. Sidney Scales lay up with 42 seconds left put Talladega up by three 50-47 going into the fourth.

Miller believes that Jeremy Shirel’s intensity is what turned things around for the Talladega.

”Jermey Shirel off the bench changed the game defensively in both halves,” Miller said. “He is going to score some points, but he is so valuable on the defensive end. He is one of the best defensive players that I have had in 30 years. He is diving for balls; he is tipping balls, his intensity made the players play hard all of a sudden. It is like we were playing hard then we got stagnant. I think Jermey Shirel should get the game ball tonight.”

Mosley led the way for Talladega with 20 points. Justin Fuller scored 11 points, while Roberson chipped in with nine points.

Battle led the way for Childersburg with 16 points (14 points in the first half). Garrett scored 12 points.

Childersburg host Calera on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Talladega travels to take on Ben Russell on Friday at 7:30 p.m.