Josh Garth (12) goes up to the rim in Area 8 basketball action against Hazel Green Jan. 23. (Record Photo/Nick Sellers)

By Nick Sellers | Staff Writer

MADISON – The Class 7A, Area 8 regular-season race was decided on Jan. 23, as the James Clemens Jets (20-7, 5-1) played host to the Hazel Green Trojans and Bob Jones took on Sparkman, eventually losing in overtime.

All the Jets had to worry about, however, was beating the visiting Trojans to ensure the Are regular-season title. With the five-point win the Jets earned after holding off a Hazel Green rally, James Clemens earned the No. 1 seed in the four-team Area tournament Feb. 6.

James Clemens got out to a 27-12 lead early in the second period after leading 15-9 at the end of the first period thanks to two early three-pointers by Trai James, who finished with 16 points.

The Jets led 27-17 at halftime and 40-33 going into the fourth period before the Trojans clawed back to a 44-43 deficit with three minutes left.

“Hazel Green’s got a good team,” Jets head coach Danny Petty said. “We played well the first half then we started relaxing, they put up the pressure, and we had too many turnovers that one little stretch.”

Hazel Green had a dunk and an alley-oop in the second half to keep up the energy and were within three points, 51-48, with 39 seconds left. Marquis Mitchell sunk two free throws shortly thereafter and the Jets came away with the win.

“I’m just proud of the players for hanging in there and coming back,” Petty said. “It’s just a real big win for us, so now we get to host the area so that’s big.”

Petty, who has won state championships with Bob Jones, Madison Academy and J.O. Johnson and who recently notched his 700^th career win on Jan. 13 against Athens, was announced as the Jets’ head coach in August and suffered only one Area loss in his first year with the Jets, which was a one-point affair to Bob Jones Dec. 12.