MOULTRIE — The Colquitt County seventh-grade basketball teams completed their four-game road swing Saturday by notching dual victories over Lowndes Middle School.
The girls were tied at the half 12-12, but dominated the final two periods to win 23-16.
The boys played even for a quarter and a half, then used two significant runs to win convincingly, 47-33.
The girls took an early 8-4 lead, with Dexshalyn Polite, Blakelee Handfield, Tara Reynolds and Abbi Beth Paulk each scoring two points in the first quarter. Polite, Reynolds and Paulk quickly found themselves in foul trouble, however, as all were called for their third foul in the first three minutes of the second quarter.
The youngest Lady Packers had to rely on basketball newcomers Ashlee Parrish, Yuanna Rushing and Jazzlyn Collier, who were all forced to play in more high-pressure situations than they were used to.
“I was proud of the way our returning players opened the game,” Coach Jon Scroggins said. “Then, I was proud of the way our younger players stepped up and played their roles. They kept us in the game in a tough situation.”
In the second half, with three of their four experienced players in foul trouble, the Lady Packers somehow managed to tighten up their defense, holding the Vikettes to just four points.
“We made a couple of adjustments to some things they had done to hurt us in the first half,” Scroggins said.
“The girls played really smart. We walked the line perfectly – we stayed aggressive, without taking unnecessary chances.”
Scroggins also pointed to the standout defensive contribution of first-time starter Kara Menix and a great rebounding effort from Reynolds as keys to victory.
The victory was the second in a row for the the seventh-grade girls and raised their record to 2-2.
In the second game, the boys played a back-and-forth game for a while, but quickly wore down the Vikings.
Lowndes held a 15-12 lead early in the second quarter, before the Packers went on a 7-0 run to lead 19-15, and went into halftime with a 23-20 lead.
The Packers, now 3-1, then dominated the third quarter, going on an 11-0 run coming out of the locker room, and leading 36-22 at the start of the fourth period.
Brandon Key was the high scorer for the Packers with 14 points.
“Brandon played his best game so far today,” Coach Phillips said. “He might have had 25 rebounds. They didn’t have anybody that could get up with him.
“(Robert) Lingo gave us the leadership, and Jamiyus (Pittman) played well offensively. We really ran the floor well.”
Lingo scored 10 points, and Pittman had six.
Leavohn Lewis and Jay Tolbert controlled the middle of the floor, as the Vikings tried hopelessly to pressure the ball in the second half and climb back in the game.
The youngest Packers showed their mettle as they fearlessly moved the ball down the court against the pressure, usually getting it to Key or Lingo to finish.
Phillips played his bench most of the fourth quarter, and the reserves played Lowndes’ starters even, as both teams scored 11 points in the period to reach the final score.
The seventh-grade Packers play their first home game of the season Monday against Tift County at the C.A. Gray Middle School gymnasium.
The girls play first at 4:30 p.m. and the boys play immediately after.
Local Sports
7th-graders sweep Lowndes
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10-and-under champions
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Heading to Arkansas State
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Conference champions
The Colquitt County seventh-grade girls basketball team celebrates its South Georgia Athletic Conference championship. The team includes, front, from left, coach Sheila Williams, Za'Nautica Downs, Akia Sutton, Ty'Asia McNeal, Shy Seay; and back, Sydnee Dalton, Shay Stanfill, Kiarra Lovett, Abiyah Spencer, Coach Jon Scroggins, Angel Kinchen, Chyna Calhoun, Michaela Bennefield, Istajhe Johnson, Ashuntee Stewart and Ja'nysia Brown. Not shown, Coach Tamika Seay and Emily Dozier.
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Lady Pack clinches top seed for region tournament
Makeba Ponder’s free throw with 6 seconds remaining gave the Colquitt County girls a 55-48 victory over Lowndes on Tuesday on the William Bryant Court at the Gladys Espy Gymnasium and ensured the Lady Packers would have the top seed in next week’s Region 1-AAAAA tournament at Tift County.
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Rifle team defeats Worth County
The Colquitt County High rifle team remains unbeaten after taking a 1,098-1,082 victory over Worth County on Tuesday in Sylvester.
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Prine shines at Snowflake Invitational
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Prine shines at Snowflake Invitational
Kenyadah Prine is progressing just fine in her comeback from two frustrating seasons that were marred by injuries. The Lowndes High senior is making the most of her opportunities to return to top form, no matter how big or small the stage.
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Level 3 gymnasts first, Level 4 team second in Thomasville
The Moultrie YMCA MGs headed to Thomasville on January 28 to continue their meet season in the Rose City gymnastics invitational and the Level 3’s took first place and the Level 4’s placed second.
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Register wins region wrestling championship
Travis Register will take an unbeaten record into next weekend’s state sectional after going 2-0 and winning the 220-pound weight class at Saturday’s Region 1-AAAAA wrestling tournament at Lowndes.
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