ALABASTER – The Thompson Warriors started the year out on a good note, following up a showcase win over Central-Phenix City with a commanding win in their area opener.

Thompson defeated the Tuscaloosa County Wildcats 57-23 on Tuesday, Jan. 6 at Warrior Arena in the first game of Class 7A, Area 5 play.

The Warriors got out to a strong start thanks to offensive contributions from Braelyn Castille and Chris Chism. Freshly offered by Alabama, Castille scored three times in the first quarter for six points while Chism scored her first five points of the evening.

Thompson limited the visiting Wildcats to just two baskets in the first and led 13-4 at the end of the first quarter.

The Warriors truly began putting distance between themselves and Tuscaloosa County in the second quarter, when they scored 22 points as a team. Six different Thompson players helped reach that total, and Chism, Braelyn Castille and Jordyn Smith each hit multiple shots during that span.

The Warriors outscored the Wildcats by 18 in the second and extended their lead to 35-10 at the halftime break.

Chism continued leading the way for Thompson with six points in the third, but Kayla Russell joined the scoring party with five points in the quarter after scoring four in the first half. Those two made up the bulk of the Warriors offense as the hosts got out to a 51-19 lead at the end of the third.

Thompson took its foot off the gas in the fourth and used the large cushion to ride out the victory.

Chism led the Warriors with 17 points, and Braelyn Castille and Russell joined her in double figures with 11 points each. Smith scored eight points, and Bre Castille finished with five points in the win.

Thompson improved to 11-9 overall and 1-0 in area play with the win. The Warriors will finish the week on the road against the defending Class 7A runners-up, the Hillcrest Patriots, in THS coach Nick Browder's first game at Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa since leaving the school this offseason. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m.