MOULTRIE – The Colquitt County seventh-grade boys basketball team shook off its first two losses of the season to defeat Thomas County Central 45-22 on Monday.
The week before, the youngest Packers had lost to Newbern and Bainbridge to fall to 7-2.
But the twin defeats only created better team chemistry, said coach Nigel Spencer.
“Usually, back-to-back losses drain confidence,” Spencer said. “This group of young guys is different.”
Spencer was especially pleased with his team’s defensive performance against the Yellow Jackets.
“These guys take pride in playing defense,” he said.
The seventh-grade Packers, now 8-2, were led by Kaden Spann and Jaheim Flanders, who had 10 points each.
Cade Calhoun put in six; Cameron Williams had four; AJ McBride had three; Gavin Gliemmo and Standen Reynolds each had two; and Xy Spivey had a free throw.
Despite the 19 points from Demetric “Bobo” Salaam, the Colquitt County eighth-grade team fell 33-31.
“Even though they came up short by two, they played an outstanding game,” Spencer said.
Aiden Wiley had five; Malik Palmore added four; and Kaden Parrish had three.
The eighth-grade Packers are now 2-6.
The seventh- and eighth-grade boys will play Pine Grove at the Willie J. Williams Middle School gymnasium on Thursday.
Tipoff for the seventh-graders will be at 4:30 p.m. The eighth-grade game will follow.