Top-ranked Tanner survived a back-and-forth battle with rival East Limestone Tuesday in the first game of 2017 for both teams.

The no. 1 team in Class 2A won the game 41-39 — its second victory over East this season.

East Limestone led 40-39 with just over a minute remaining when Kobe Shoulders hit a long jump shot to give Tanner the lead. Despite multiple chances to reverse their fate, East Limestone could not convert.

“They were using a box-and-one (defense) on us to try to take C.J. (Yarbrough) away,” said Tanner head coach Chris Whitt. “It’s nothing we haven’t seen before. I’m glad our guys were able to play against it because we may see it again this year.”

C.J. Yarbrough and Torey Smith combined for 22 points to lead Tanner. J.J. Johnson, Zach Hampton and Kobe Shoulders combined for Tanner’s remaining points.

Brenden Caldwell led East Limestone with 12 points. Jamil Pride scored 10 while Gary Gilbert added eight.

West Morgan 64, Clements 45

Lucas Bailey and Rylan Kirk each scored 11 points for Clements in a 64-45 area loss to West Morgan Tuesday. Jaquez Chairs scored a game-high 25 points for the Rebels while Parker Henson had 21 points to along with 12 rebounds.

Logan Peden scored eight points for Clements, which travels to Tanner tonight.

Varsity girls

Athens improved to 17-2 with a comeback win over West Limestone Tuesday. Trailing by two entering the fourth-quarter, Athens rallied to win 52-44.

Alexis Woods scored 14 points for Athens while Japera Harris added 12. West Limestone seventh-grader Carolina Bachus scored a game-high 15 points. Rainey Tyler chipped in 12 for West.

Tanner 47, East Limestone 31

Kirstin Brown scored 18 points Tuesday to lead Tanner to a 47-31 victory over East Limestone.

Tanner shook off a slow start in which it was shut out in the first quarter, but outscored East 17-4 in the second to take a halftime lead. Clinging to a two-point lead entering the fourth, the Rattlers pulled away with a 22-point fourth quarter.

Jessika Milton scored nine points for Tanner — all in the second half.

East Limestone eighth-grader Jirah Rogers led her team with 16 points while Jordan Embry added 10.

Clements 50, West Morgan 40

Lele Anderson, Keiara Redus and Emrey McGill combined to score 35 points Tuesday in route to a 50-45 area victory over West Morgan. Clements led 31-20 at halftime.

Anderson led the way with 15 points while McGill and Redus each put in 10.

Clements travels to Tanner tonight.