Greenville stops three-game losing skid
Published 12:00 am Thursday, February 2, 2006
Greenville outscored Wetumpka 15-4 in overtime to snap a three-game losing streak Saturday to pick up an 83-72 victory.
The Tigers close out the regular season this week with Class 1A power Brantley on Thursday and at Class 3A power Central-Hayneville.
“Both should be a pretty good test, especially with the way Brantley is playing right now,” Greenville boys coach Victor Smith said. “But I feel like we are starting to pick up steam, and I hope it can carry us the rest of the way.”
The Tigers (11-12), who finished third in the area, will open the area tournament in Troy on Tuesday against Eufaula at 5 p.m.
Greenville held on to a narrow 31-29 lead at the half and continued to carry a 2-point lead through until the final stanza.
Then the Tigers pulled away in the extra period with key baskets by Demetrius Posey, Darrell Carter and Edward Searight.
Posey led the trio, which finished in double figures, with a game-high 20 points. Carter added 16, while Searight had 13.
Felton Smith and Brandon Smoke led Wetumpka with 16 points each.
Greenville dropped its third game in a row to Class 6A top 10-ranked Jeff Davis, 83-63.
The Tigers trailed much of the game, but pulled within four points of the Volunteers before Jeff Davis pulled away for the win.
Searight led Greenville 13 points, while Isiah Mack had 10.
The Tigers also played without the services of Lynn Lewis and Rashad Knight, who were dismissed from the team, Smith said.
Knight did return to the team, but Lewis is off the team indefinitely, Smith said.
“I needed to take care of whatever situations before tournament play,” Smith said. “I had challenged both to bring some leadership to this team, and they weren't doing it.”
While Lewis will not be rejoining the team, Smith said that he has seen a dramatic improvement in Knight's attitude.
“I think he'll be fine the rest of the way,” Smith added. “He understands what we are trying to do. Š I'm not going to let anyone or anything destroy what we're working for. I've got to keep the chemistry intact with this team.”
So would Smith allow Lewis, who is a junior, play for him next season?
“I will have to see,” said the first-year Tigers coach.