Tigers and Tigers tangle
Published 12:00 am Friday, December 17, 2004
The great thing about high school basketball is the rivalries. Last weekend, Calhoun and Greenville renewed theirs. Calhoun came out on top and posted the victory.
This afternoon, the Tigers and Tigers will take to the hardwood once again.
"I think our team will be a little more focused this weekend," said Randy Fullington, coach of the Greenville Tigers. "They are quick as cats and they can jump out of the gym. I thought our intensity wasn't where it was supposed to be.
Last week, the Tigers and Tigers squared off after both teams had played a game the night prior.
Calhoun had played Southside High School of Selma and then Greenville had played host to Carroll (Ozark) High School.
It's almost the same situation this time around. Greenville was on the road Friday night, seeing what 6A competition was like. The Tigers took on the Volunteers of Jefferson Davis High School.
For Calhoun coach Jim Hunter, this weekend's game has him a little leery.
"I think we just had a little bit more wind than they did the last time we played," said Hunter.
"I know it will be a different game because the last three years we have split. "
"I don't see why it should be any different this year, but we are going to try to win. I expect to try to at least win one. They always beat us up there and we always win down there."
"Last two times they won, they beat us up here. If it stays the way it's been going, we have a chance to win. Our home-court advantage hasn't meant as much over the last three years. It's our home game, so we'll be wearing the white jerseys."
The trend in this series is that the home team usually falls victim.
Greenville wins in Letohatchee and then Calhoun wins in Greenville.
Last weekend, the Calhoun Tigers were led offensively by Dominick Taylor with 12 points and Darnell Smith with 10 points.
The home standing squad from Greenville rallied and took an early lead at the end of the first quarter, but then found themselves on the lower end of the score when the second period ended.
It was a great game," said Fullington.
"It was tied 40-40 going into the fourth quarter and I think we lost the game in the first two minutes of the fourth quarter. "
"We made some poor decisions, had some poor shot selection and they converted and we got down six in the first two minutes and it was even from that point, but we were battling to catch up and that's where we didn't want to be."
Greenville and Calhoun traded baskets down the stretch of the fourth quarter with the home-standing Tigers playing catch up. But, by the time the final horn sounded, the home team had lost, 53-48.
Devoski McMeans was the leading scorer for Greenville.
He finished the night with 13 points, 10 of which came from the free throw line.
Gavin Warren tacked on 11 points and then Curtis Fields finished the night with 10.
The Greenville Lady Tigers and the B team, however, had different results.
Despite the differences in classes, Greenville being 5A and Calhoun being 3A both coaches know that the teams will be ready to play this weekend.
Tipoff is set for 4 p.m.
After Saturdays game, Greenville will have the opportunity to taste tournament play.
The Tigers will cross state lines next weekend and compete in the Lowndes County (GA) Varsity Tournament beginning Dec. 20.
They will also be playing in the T.R. Miller Tournament the weekend after Christmas.
The Girls will be in action in the Opelika Tournament where they will be going head-to-head with Edward Bell School from Camp Hill, Ala.