Andalusia survives Peterson#039;s 3-point barrage

Published 12:00 am Saturday, January 14, 2006

Georgiana coach Jerome Harris III isn't shy about making his point known to his team.

When the Panthers were struggling in the second period of Thursday's non-area game with formerly ranked Andalusia, Harris wasted little time to prove his point.

If you don't come to play, you don't play on the court.

So with about six minutes left in the second period, he pulled his starting five.

During that time span Georgiana only managed one basket while Andalusia (11-4) pulled away for an eventual 68-57 victory, but Harris made his point.

The Panthers (9-8) came back out in the second half and turned up the defensive intensity by pressuring the Bulldogs the length of the court, but Andalusia's lead was just too much to overcome.

&#8220If we had played as well in the second half there in the first half, this would have been a different ballgame,” Harris said. &#8220We just didn't come to play in the first half, and it showed.”

Kenny Peterson poured in a game-high 31 points, including seven 3-pointers to lead Georgiana. Peterson trimmed the Bulldogs' 20-point lead in the fourth period almost by himself by draining six 3-pointers.

After battling to a 14-all stalemate in the first period, Andalusia formulated an inside game that Georgiana did not have an answer for. At the same point, the Panthers made too many unforced errors that led to easy Bulldog baskets.

By the end of the period, Georgiana had only managed one basket as Andalusia took a 30-16 lead at intermission.

&#8220It wasn't a pretty win, but I'm not looking for style points right now,” Bulldogs coach Richard Robertson said. &#8220We had our own problems tonight with the lack of execution we had.”

Nico Johnson led Andalusia with 15 points and 14 rebounds, while Josh Johnson chipped in 14.

Every player on the Bulldog roster played and scored at least 2 points.

&#8220I'm a little worried about us right now,” Robertson said. &#8220We're 15 games into the season, and we're not looking much better than after the first game.”

The Andalusia girls completed the sweep earlier in the afternoon with an easy 64-34 victory over the Lady Panthers.

The Lady Bulldogs (12-5) jumped out to a 14-4 lead after the first period and cruised the rest of the way.

Jermecia McNeil led Andalusia with a game-high 24 points, while Blanche Alverson added 16.

Sha'Taska Mobley and Patrice Cheatham scored 12 points each to lead Georgiana.