8-mile rivalry
Published 12:00 am Friday, February 4, 2005
Before the two squads began warming for the Georgiana v. McKenzie game, Georgiana took a moment to recognize their seniors, Caleb Hartin, Tyrell Rudolph, Lakesha Crittendon, Tiffany Smith, Stewart Crittendon, Jerome Mixon, Courntey Rudolph and Moneattie Pryor.
With all of that out of the way, both teams took the floor for a second time to begin their warm ups. The game started with both teams trading foul shots. PeeJoe McMeans from Georgiana and Travis Bush from McKenzie were both sent to the charity stripe and neither came away with a basket.
With 6:20 left in the opening period, Bush was sent to the line again, this time he came away with 1-of-2, giving the Tigers an early 1-0 lead.
The Panthers, however quickly reclaimed the lead when Terrance Matthews came inside and scored. He was sent to the line with a chance to make it a three-point play, but missed the freebie and gave the Panthers a 2-1 lead.
Rhett Lowe posted a basket for the Tigers following a trip to the line for Bush that put the Tigers up 5-2 Lowe tacks on a second basket with a turnaround jumper, the Tigers are up 7-2.
But, the Panthers quickly got their offense rolling again and strung together a run that allowed them to claim the 14-12 lead with 1:20 left in the first period. The Panthers continue to roll and by the end of the first period had gone from being down 7-2 to being up 21-14.
That run the Panthers used to end the first period continued into the second.
Georgiana's Jamey Williams takes the inbounds pass and drives coast-to-coast for the basket to put the Panthers up 23-14.
The Tigers answer back with a basket of their own, 23-16.
Kenny Peterson sinks back-to-back three's to push the Panthers up 29-16.
But, Lowe sinks a jumper for the Tigers, 29-18.
The Panthers tack on another three, 32-18 and then Peterson lays the ball in thanks to a very acrobatic basket, 34-18.
The Panthers then spread their offense out and begin to work the clock and test the patience of the McKenzie defense.
As time ticks down, the Panthers cruised into the locker room thanks to a 36-21 lead.
In the third period, the Tigers and Panthers had both of offenses clicking as they traded baskets for a majority of the period, at the end of the period, the Panthers are still on top, 47-31.
That quickly turns into 49-31 to open the final frame of action. Peterson is fouled and sent to the line, he sinks one free throw and gives the Panthers a 50-31 lead.
Bush records a block but, the Panthers come back and score on the inbound pass.
With the clock running down, the Panthers are firmly in control, 57-33.
That turned out to be the final score, 57-33 and the Panthers third victory on the season.
This squad has proved to finish two wins better than a year ago.
For the Tigers, Lowe was the leading scorer with 19 points. David Davison and Bush each had five points in the loss.
For Georgiana, Peterson finished the night with 18 points, Williams had 13 points and Matthews had 12 points.