Bulldogs outlast Panthers

Published 12:00 am Monday, January 30, 2006

Kevin Pitts drained a 3-pointer with 15 seconds left in regulation to force overtime, and Thad Frazier scored four points in the extra period to lead Brantley to an 87-84 victory over Georgiana Monday night.

Georgiana led the No. 5-ranked Class 1A Bulldogs throughout regulation only to see Brantley secure the lead to open the extra period and never relinquish it. The Panthers built a lead as large as 12 points with 4:20 left to play, but Brantley (13-5) kept battling back.

Trailing 87-84 with 11.2 seconds left to play, Georgiana had an opportunity to tie the game with a play designed for Panther sharpshooter Kenny Peterson. Peterson tried to track down an errand pass to the left corner of the court and lost his footing on the slippery court to turn the ball over to Brantley to thwart another possible extra period of play.

&#8220The players made plays when we needed them to,” said Bulldogs' interim basketball coach Andrew Kilcrease. &#8220We put them in the right spot at the right time, and they did what we asked of them.”

Georgiana (11-12) looked to have the game out of reach by late in the third period until Kilcrease turned to Dexter Daniels on the bench. Daniels drained three quick 3-pointers in the waning minutes of the third period to pull Brantley to within 3 points of Georgiana heading into the final stanza.

Jeffery Daniels was one of five players to finish with double-figures with a game-high 27. Pitts chipped in 23, while Rashad Smiley had 12, Frazier 11 and Dexter Daniels 10.

Brantley's girls completed the sweep Monday by outscoring the Lady Panthers 33-21 in the second half to rally for a 53-44 victory.

Sherry Gulley was one of three Lady Bulldogs to finish with double figures. Gulley led all scorers with 22 points, while Jessica Daniels added 14. Eisha Person also had 10.

Patrice Cheatham led Georgiana with 19 points, while Sha'Taska Mobley had 10.