Andalusia’s Montel Lee, Jayden Ellison, DeVante Jackson, Phillip James and Kendarius Townsend finished in double figures in the Bulldogs’ 80-53 rout over rival Opp on Friday night.

Jackson and James scored 12 points each; Ellison put in 17 points; Townsend drained 10; and Lee outscored them all with a double-double 24 points and 10 rebounds in the effort.

Before the game last night, the Bulldogs decided it was best to get ahead early, AHS coach Richard Robertson said.

“That was our plan was to get in the lead so we can play from in front, instead of playing from behind or even,” Robertson said.

Throughout this early season, the Bulldogs played their opponents close, getting to within single digits on a deficit before allowing the other team to go ahead.

That wasn’t the case Friday night.

Andalusia cruised out to a 12-3 lead early in the first period, led 24-9 going into the second and went into halftime up 39-21.

Inside game play for the Bobcats, along with making some key perimeter shots, highlighted Opp’s night on the court despite trailing throughout the game.

The Bobcats went on a small 4-0 run to start the third period, but the Bulldogs took a 48-27 lead a short time later to put the game way, way out of reach. AHS led 58-37 after the third period, and outscored Opp 22-16 in the fourth period.

OHS coach Sterling Driver said he was proud of his boys for playing hard during the entire game.

“They played very hard (Friday night),” Driver said. “They didn’t give up at all. We dug ourselves a hole in the first half.”

The hole Driver was referring to was as a result of not making shots, he said.

“We went 0-for from the three-point line,” Driver said. “We hit five threes in the second half. We’ve got to start hitting some outside shots.”

With this victory, Andalusia improves to 2-3 on the season before a tough stretch of games next week. The Bulldogs visit Georgiana on Tuesday, host Dothan on Thursday and then Straughn on Saturday in regular season action.

Opp falls to 3-4 on the season, and hosts Florala on Monday.

Earlier in the first period, the Bulldogs shot out to a big lead after Townsend hit a rare AHS 3-pointer with 5:04 on the clock.

Opp answered with a Derek Savage put back to later cut the lead to 14-5.

Jackson got a long-range jumper to go, Lee made a jump shot and Trevor Parker dished in a shot after a steal to give Andalusia a healthy 24-9 lead.

Savage later got a layup to cut the scoring in the first period as the Bulldogs led 26-11 going into the second.

Opp’s Raheem Bonam charged the lane and got a floater to bring Andalusia’s lead to 28-13 at the start of the second period.

Jakeith Edwards got a 3-pointer with 4:49 left in the first half to make it 33-16.

The Bobcats hung in there all the way until halftime, despite trailing by 18 points.

OHS made some adjustments in the locker room and came out on a quick 4-0 run to start the third period.

However, the Bulldogs answered as they took a 21-point, 48-27 lead after Lee got a steal and converted on the other end.

Stoudemire answered by scoring six of Opp’s eight points to end the third period. Stoudemire finished with 16 points to lead OHS, and scored four 3-pointers.

Both teams answered each other on the paint as the quick game came to a close in the fourth period. AHS outscored the Bobcats 22-16.

Savage chipped in 12 points. Edwards added 10 in the loss.

Robertson said his Bulldogs played a good four-quarter game.

“This is the first time we put four quarters together,” the legendary coach said. “We messed some things up along the way. We’ve been playing two and three quarters. That’s what’s been killing us.

“We’re just glad to get a good win,” he said. “Like we talked about in the meeting, you don’t want to lose to people you see in the community and in the grocery store. We want the bragging rights.”

Andalusia’s B-team boys handed Opp its first loss of the season in a 39-31 victory last night.

The Bulldogs were led by three players who finished in double figures. Ke’Shun Townsend led AHS with 14 points. Jamal Hourel chipped in 13, and Ian Peek played well for the Bulldogs, draining 10 points on the night.

OHS led 18-17 at halftime. Andalusia bounced back to outscore the Bobcats (3-1) 12-7 in the third period to take a 29-25 lead into the fourth period.

Opp’s Evan King led the Bobcats with 17 points.