Keith dominated the first half of Monday’s game against Dallas County. The Bears controlled the boards, enforced their tempo, and appeared ready to pick up their second win over a top 10 team in five days.

Then, Dallas County’s Jerrod Moorer took over.

Moorer hit two three-pointers in the first two minutes of the second half, including one that tied the game, and threw down two ferocious dunks to lead Dallas County to a 50-37 victory. Moorer scored a game high 28 points, including 20 in the second half.

“We’ve been saying that he’s one of the best players in the county and tonight he showed that with his play,” Dallas County head coach Willie Moore said.

The game was played at Wallace Community College Selma as a first round matchup in the Dallas County Christmas Tournament. The teams will meet again later this season, also on a neutral court, at Concordia College Alabama Jan. 16.

Keith, which looked so efficient on a 23-7 run to finish the first half, scored only two points in the third quarter. Even then every basket was well-earned, as No. 10 in 5A Dallas County (9-1) locked down on defense to knock off 1A’s No. 4-ranked Bears (8-6).

“I’ve seen both teams. I’ve seen the first half team and I’ve seen the second half team,” Keith head coach Tommy Tisdsale said. “It’s just a matter of which one shows up.”

It was only five days ago the Bears had knocked off No. 1 ranked Sunshine. They seemed to carry the momentum from that win into Monday’s first half, but it didn’t carry into the latter part of the game.

Dallas County only played a handful of players until the final few seconds, while Keith played twelve. Yet, Tisdale said it was the Hornets’ bench providing the spark by cheering on their teammates, while his guys were quiet despite getting into the game.

“I actually envy what they are doing,” Tisdale said. “To watch them play two guys 31 minutes, maybe four — I’ve got to get coach Moore’s recipe.”

Dallas County started the game the way it finished, taking a quick 7-0 lead and threatening to run away. Tisdale pulled his starters and Keith’s bench, led by Morris Collins’ effort plays and control of the paint, led the Bears back to within 7-4 after the first quarter.

The Keith starters returned in the second quarter and took control, outscoring Dallas County 8-0 over the last three minutes of the period to take a 23-14 lead into the break.

It was seemingly gone in an instant.

Raheem Phillips and Moorer knocked in threes to begin the second half to cut the deficit to three. Them, Phillips made a bank shot and Moorer nailed another three, which tied the game at 25. Moorer was fouled on a three-pointer with 5:21 left and he made all three free throws.

Dallas County would lead from that point on. The Hornets outscored Keith 20-2 in the third quarter to take a 34-25 lead.

“Believe it or not, our adjustment in the locker room [at halftime] was not to leave [Moorer open],” Tisdale said. “I said, ‘He’s getting wide open shots fellas. He’s just not making them right now.’”

Moore told his guards at the half that he was going to put the ball in their hands and let them go and it showed in the second half.

“I told them I was going to turn them loose and let them play a little more,” Moore said. “Early on we were treating it like it was a road game, and we were just trying to stay in the game to get to the second half with an opportunity to win. We did that.”

Keith couldn’t cut the lead under eight the entire fourth period, as Phillips and Moorer dominated possession of the ball.

Phillips was the only other Hornets’ player in double figures with 12 points. Moore said his hustle plays really helped swing the game.

“We did it tonight but we have to be able to do it tomorrow night too,” Moore said.

Keith’s John Pettway was held to 11 points but led the Bears in scoring. The Hornets will face R.C. Hatch in Tuesday’s championship game, which will start around 8:30 p.m. Keith will take on county rival Southside at 5:30 p.m. in the third place game.