The Cornersville Bulldogs opened up District 8-A play hosting the Huntland Hornets in Friday night’s second game at Cornersville.

The Hornets got balanced scoring from four of their five starters, who tallied in double figures as Huntland rolled to an 81-51victory over the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs (2-12) were led in scoring by Mason Calahan and Bryce Woodard, who scored nine points apiece.

Cornersville controlled the tip and Michael Ashley promptly lofted in a 3-pointer to put the Dawgs up 3-0.

The Hornets (4-11) took no time to respond when Garrett Jernigan scored on a jump shot to cut the lead to one point.

After a Bulldog missed field goal, Colton Ray put the Hornets in the lead with a 3-pointer and Will Jolley nailed the first of his three 3-pointers to make it 8-3.

The Hornets, firing over the Cornersville zone defense, were not done as Jernigan scored another basket in close and Jolley drained another 3-pointer to make it 13-3.

“We felt like the zone (defense) against this team was our best option, but they came out hot shooting their three-pointers,” Cornersville coach Peyton Newton said.

Cornersville’s Bryce Woodard swished a 3-pointer, but Jernigan again scored inside for the Hornets to make it 15-6.

Mason Calahan added one-of-two free throws and after a Jolley 3-pointer, Tanner Reese connected on a jump shot to make the score 18-9.

Eli Welch scored on a put-back and Reese connected on another jumper before Jernigan scored off a great feed by teammate Dylan Schultz and the Hornets led 20-13 at the end of the first quarter.

Huntland’s Byron Johnson started the second period scoring for the Hornets as he scored inside before Calahan drained a three to make the score 22-16.

Ray drained another 3-pointer, but Reese with an assist by Calahan, added a basket to keep pace at 25-18.

Jolley and Ray added baskets for the Hornets to stretch their lead to 11 points at 29-18.

Welch scored again for the Bulldogs, but Johnson connected on two more baskets and Jernigan scored in close to make the score 35-20.

Woodard tossed in a basket, but Eli Stevenson added a two-pointer and Jernigan scored again for the Hornets before Reese responded for Cornersville with another basket to wrap up the second quarter with Huntland in front 39-25.

The third quarter began with a 3-pointer by Woodard, but as the period progressed Huntland scored two times to the Bulldogs one and the Hornets stretched their lead.

Baskets by Welch would be offset by two baskets by Johnson and two-pointer by Ray for Huntland.

“We did not match their physicality nor their toughness tonight,” Newton said.

After a Calahan nailed a 3-pointer the Hornets reeled off an eight-point run before Khi Canty broke the run with a basket for the Bulldogs.

When the third quarter ended, the Hornets had stretched their lead to 26 points at 65-39.

The fourth quarter saw Huntland maintain their lead as the Bulldogs fought, but could not cut into the lead.

Both coaches sent in substitutes as time wound down and when the horn sounded the Hornets had secured an 81-51 District 8-A win to carry back home.

“The different in the game was their toughness and desire, we did not match that,” Newton said. “We’ve got to do that to win.”

Huntland 20 19 26 16-81

Cornersville 13 12 14 12-51

Huntland (81): Byron Johnson 21, Will Jolley 17, Garrett Jernigan 16, Colton Ray 13, Dylan Schultz 6, Eli Stevenson 3, Braylen Phillips 3, Noah Thompson 2.

Three-Point Goals (7): Jolley 3, Ray 3, Johnson.

Free Throws (10-for-15): Ray 4-for-4, Jolley 2-for-3, Shultz 3-for-4, Stevenson 1-for-2, Johnson 0-for-1, Jernigan 0-for-1.

Cornersville (51): Mason Calahan 9, Bryce Woodard 9, Tanner Reese 8, Eli Welch 8, Michael Ansley 5, Wallace Francis 4, Khi Canty 4, Jackson Mitchell 3, Christian Wilson 2.

Three-Point Goals (6): Woodard 3, Calahan 2, Ansley.

Free Throws (5-for-8): Ashley 2-for-2, Francis 2-for-2, Calahan 1-for-2, Reese 0-for-1, Wilson 0-for-1.

Halftime Score: Huntland 39, Cornersville 25.