The Chelsea Hornets boys basketball team claimed a 55-36 victory Tuesday night over Pell City in the Class 6A, Area 10 tournament semifinal.

Matthew Marquet led the Hornets with 12 points, while Josh Hanna chipped in nine.

Chelsea jumped out to a 17-6 lead in the first quarter behind the strong play of Sam Towery, who scored all eight of his points in the opening quarter. Towery nailed back-to-back three-pointers during a run that saw the Hornets turn a 6-5 deficit into a commanding lead that the Hornets would hold the rest of the game.

Chelsea put the game away in the third quarter by allowing only two points and jumping to a 45-25 lead entering the fourth.

The win clinched a spot for the Hornets in the sub-regional round of the playoffs next week. Chelsea will play host Oxford at 7 p.m. Friday to determine whether it will travel for the sub-region game or play at home.

Antonio Pierce was the leading scorer for Pell City with eight points.