Wayne Grandy
MOULTRIE — The Colquitt County seventh- and eighth-grade boys and girls basketball teams opened their 2009-2010 seasons with victories over Hahira on Tuesday.
The eighth-grade teams went on the road to get their sweep.
The girls team gave first-year coach Tiffanie Young a victory in her first game, defeating Hahira 27-12.
Makeba Ponder had 21 of her team’s points.
Dexshalyn Polite, Ashlee Parrish and Zandesha Moment each added two points.
The eighth-grade boys exploded offensively and put up 25 fourth-quarter points in its 49-42 victory over the Vikings.
“We struggled early, but we got it together in the second half,” said Colquitt County eighth-grade coach Roger Jones.
“We took care of the basketball and we had a real good defensive effort.”
Jamiyus Pittman and Sebastian Courtney led the eighth-grade boys with 10 points each. Taphari Wright and Jay Tolbert each had nine.
Brandon Key had eight, Leavohn Lewis added two and Ethan Anderson and Maleek Lewis each had a free throw.
The eighth-graders will play their home-openers on Friday when they play host to Coffee at the Charlie A. Gray Junior High School gymnasium at 4:30 p.m.
The seventh-grade teams are expected to play their home games at the Willie J. Williams Middle School gymnasium, but electric clock problems there forced the teams’ openers to be moved the the C.A. Gray gymnasium.
The seventh-graders responded just nicely, with the girls team holding on for 25-24 victory and the boys team winning easily 35-13.
The seventh-grade Lady Packers led 4-0 at the end of the first quarter and 9-3 at the half, but were outscored 21-16 in the second half.
The Lady Packers never trailed, but Hahira tied the game at 16 in the third quarter and at 21 and 23 in the fourth quarter.
A layup by Josey Fowler gave Colquitt County a 25-23 lead with 21 seconds left, but Hahira sent a player to the line for two free throws with 16 seconds remaining.
Hahira hit the first, but missed the second and Colquitt was able to run out the clock on the victory.
Joneria Grant led the Lady Packers with 15 points. Fowler added six, Felisha Bowman had two and Chazmin Singletary and Sade Walker had free throws.
Colquitt County boys coach John Phillips said his team was “very sloppy,” but still came away with the 35-13 victory.
Hahira did not reach double-digits until late in the game.
Rakeem McCloud scored four points each in the first, second and fourth quarters to lead the Packers with 12 points.
Zatavious Lewis added seven, Donta Wilson had five, Sihiem King had four, Javonta Woods had three and Taif Smith and Dethemeyus Barge each had two.
