EAGLES BATTLE TO FINISH: Pleasant Home falls to Georgiana in finals

Published 12:05 am Tuesday, January 2, 2018

The Pleasant Home Eagles gave Georgiana a run for their money, but it was the Panthers who pulled away late to win the 2017 Red Level Christmas tournament championship on Saturday night.

Georgiana jumped out front in the first period with a strong performance from Ja’Michael Stallworth.

Stallworth had nine points in the opening frame to put the Panthers on top 21-12 heading into the second period.

In the second period, the Panthers were able to limit the Eagles to eight points and stretched their lead to 38-20 at halftime.

The Panthers looked like they might coast to the title, but the Eagles surged back in the third period to make things interesting.

Pleasant Home got a quick free throw from Austin Kelley and then a layup from Nic Woods to cut into the Panthers’ lead.

Pleasant Home got the ball right back and Woods dropped in another layup to cut the lead to 38-25.

Georgiana bumped the lead back up to 15 following a technical foul called on the Eagles.

Woods continued to find his way to the basket and helped trim the Georgiana lead down to 50-39 heading into the fourth period.

In the final period, Stallworth and Jaheim Powell each had big 3-pointers to help push the Panthers to a 72-52 victory in the championship game.

Stallworth led the Panthers with 26 points.

Powell and Martavious Payton each had nine points for the Panthers.

Woods led the Eagles with 16 points.

Kelley finished with 12 points and Scott finished with 11 points.