Columbia County Game Recaps (3 games)

Harlem Bulldogs vs Columbia Raiders (boys) 11/20/2009

With the second half of the Columbia County middle school season in full effect, we got the chance to watch two of the hottest teams in the area. Harlem is coming off a 3 game winning streak while Columbia remains one of the top teams in the area with their aggressive play. The game started off with a very fast pace with both teams scoring back-to-back baskets during the first 6 possessions of the game. Joacinto Grimes # 22 (Columbia middle) put on a show this game. Scoring 16 first half points leading his team to a 33 to 23 halftime lead.  The Raiders started to pull away early in the second half  with a nice spark off the bench from Conner Dowling #13 (Columbia middle) knocking down two 3's and finishing with 10 points.  Columbia's defense held high-profile guard Reggie Reid # 24 (Harlem Middle) to just 10 total points, forcing him to be more of a passer. His teammates Jalen Ramsey # 23 (Harlem middle) and Collin Beasley #15 (Harlem middle) picked up the scoring load combining for 31 points including 8 three pointers. The Bulldogs pulled within 10 points midway through the 4th quarter with some key steals from Reggie Reid #24 that lead to two 3 pointers from J. Ramsey #23 but the bulldogs just didn't have an answer for Grimes # 22 (Columbia middle) on the defensive end. He finished the game with 30 points, scoring in bunches (put backs, fast break lay-ins, floaters,etc...) and leading his team down the stretch of the game. Final score: Columbia 64 Harlem 53




Grovetown Patriots vs Riverside Eagles (boys)  11/17/09

Nexlevelsports was in the building to watch one of the top teams in Columbia County in the Grovetown Patriots. Grovetown has terrific size in where the team features 3 six footers in their starting lineup, one of the six footers being the pointguard in Tevon Hordon # 21 (Grovetown middle). The Patriots jumped to an early start leading to a 29 to 14 lead at halftime. Tevon lead the way with some nice dishes to his bigmen in Shalon Alvaraze #30 (Grovetown middle) and Xavier Luckey #23 (Grovetown middle). Shalon and Xavier controlled the boards throughout the game and their physical presence was too much for the Riverside Eagles. The Eagles did get some good play early in the first half from PG # 30.  He gathered  plenty of stills that led to some easy baskets. In the second half, Grovetown pulled away, with Tevon #11 pushing the ball up the court and giving his teammates some easy baskets. Riverside continued to play hard but couldn't handle the physical presence down low. Final Score: Grovetown 44 Riverside 24  Shalon Alvaraze #30 (Grovetown middle) led all scorers with 11.




Lakeside Panthers vs Harlem Bulldogs (boys) 11/13/09


Tonight's matchup featured two of the top guards in Columbia County in Bryce Ford #12 (Lakeside middle) and Reggie Reid #24 (Harlem middle). Both players are just seventh graders and they are the leaders for their respective teams. The game got off to a slow offensive start in where both teams struggled from the field. The first half was very physical and both teams played great defense. The halftime score was tied 10 to 10. The second half both, teams started to pick up the pace. Reggie Reid #24 started to force some action by breaking Lakeside's press and going to the hole and drawing fouls. Harlem took the lead heading to the fourth quarter. Lakeside started to make a push early in the fourth with some acrobatic lay-ins by Bryce Ford #12. Bryce also displayed his passing skills by dishing out 5 assists for the game with 3 being in the fourth. Austin Hubert #50 (Lakeside) had a big game on the boards which kept the Panthers in the game late in the fourth by giving his team second chance opportunities. With Lakeside being down by six points with two minutes left, the Panthers started to put on the full court press. Harlem did an excellent job of handling the pressure late in the game. The game was sealed when Reggie Reid #24 (Harlem) stole the ball with a minute and 16 seconds left and took it coast-to-coast for the And-1 layup. He also iced the game with four consecutive free-throws down the stretch. Final Score: Harlem 32 Lakeside 25. Reggie Reid #24 (Harlem) led all scorers with 19 points.