Richmond County Games (4 games) Dec. 14th - 17th

East Augusta vs Tutt (girls) Dec. 14th


Tonight’s matchup featured two teams that have a similar style of play, which is very “scrappy”. The first quarter consisted of a lot of loose balls, scraped knees, and hard fouls. The game was close throughout the first half with the score being 17-19 Tutt. #11 A. Sanders (Tutt) displayed her aggressive defensive play with four first half steals. In the second half, Tutt started to pull away with two consecutive baskets by #51 E. Dukes (Tutt) which put Tutt up by eight mid-ways through the third quarter. #32 Bowman (East Augusta) put on an offensive display late in the third scoring six consecutive points by the way of layups and pull-up jumpers. Her play brought East Augusta within one 26-25 going to the fourth quarter. The fourth quarter started off just like the first, very intense. Both teams couldn’t get into an offensive groove early in the fourth due a lot of fouls being called. Then the electrifying point guard, #11 A. Sanders (Tutt) scored on two full court layups that put Tutt up by six with a minute left in the game. East Augusta couldn’t convert on 3 three pointers to try and put them in a winning position but couldn’t prevail.
Final Score: Tutt 33 East Augusta 29.
 
#32 Bowman (East Augusta) led all scorers for the game with 16 points. #51 E. Dukes led Tutt with 12 points and #11 A. Sanders added 10 points for Tutt. #23 Collier added 7 points for East Augusta as well.
 
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East Augusta vs Tutt (boys) Dec. 14th


The boy’s matchup was just as exciting as the girls. East Augusta and Tutt are two teams that are fighting for a playoff spot and this game is a critical one to help their chances. Both teams were trying to fill each other out in the first quarter. There weren’t a lot of fast breaks or dribble drives. One of the most prolific shooters in middle school #25 Nick Fortenberry, (Tutt) knocked down 2 three pointers in the first quarter giving Tutt an 8-6 1st quarter lead. The game started to pick up in the second quarter in where East Augusta started to put a little more pressure on the ball which converted to turnovers and layups. #20 Burns (Tutt) scored four of his nine points in the second quarter which slowed down East Augusta’s run, which made the score 16-14 in Tutt’s favor heading into half-time. The second half both teams started to loosen up on the offense and defensive end. #23 Tommy Smith (East Augusta) who is arguably the most athletic player in middle school, showcased his athleticism when he “pinned” one of Tutt’s player’s shot to backboard in where the crowd got up off their feet in a huge “ohhh!!” From there, the speed of the game picked up. #21 J’zwa Collier (Tutt) who is just in sixth grade, put on a clinic on decision making in where he displayed some very nice passes that lead to easy scores for Tutt in the second half. He finished the game with 4 assist and logged some heavy minutes for a sixth grader. In the fourth quarter, East Augusta finally tied the game at 28 with a minute left when #23 Tommy Smith drove and made a no-look pass to his teammate for an easy layup. The next play, Tutt turned the ball over and #33 Carlos Hightower (East Augusta) made a corner jumper to give East Augusta a 30 to 28 lead. #21 J’zwa Collier (Tutt) came down on the next possession and drew the foul. He made both free-throws tying the score at 30. #32 Kaleed (East Augusta) took the final shot but couldn’t convert on the layup.

In Overtime, #33 Carlos Hightower (East Augusta) hit an earl three pointer that gave the jaguars momentum in OT. #30 Quinton Phillips (Tutt) converted on a layup that brought Tutt within one. East Augusta made three free-throws down the stretch in where #32 Kaleed (East Augusta) sealed the game making the score 38-34.
Final Score: East Augusta 38 Tutt 34

#32 Kaleed led East Augusta with 11 points and 2 steals. #23 Tommy Smith added 7 points and 4 assist. #20 Burns led Tutt with 9 points. #25 Nick Fortenberry 8 points and #30 Quinton Phillips added 7 points and 10 rebounds.


Hephzibah vs Langford (girls) Dec. 17th


There is much parity in girl’s middle school basketball this year, meaning that there are at least six teams that could compete for the middle school title. Tonight’s matchup featured two teams out of those six in Hephzibah and Langford. Both teams are very fundamentally sound on defense and it showed in the first quarter with the score being 4 to 3 Hephzibah. Langford started to put on the defense pressure in the second and third quarter in where the Lion forced a lot of turnovers that converted to layups. Langford displayed a balanced scoring attack which brought their lead up to 10 heading into the fourth quarter. #22 S. Miller (Hephzibah) showcased her point guard skills by displaying a strong handle and making some nice passes, some being no looks. Hephzibah got a lot of shots due to S. Miller passes but just couldn’t convert. Langford pulled away late in the fourth going ahead by 11 with 2 min left in the game. #32 E. Bryant (Hephzibah) showed flashes of how skillful she is. She couldn’t get into an offensive rhythm until the fourth quarter. Final Score: Langford 33 Hephzibah 27

#22 S. Miller led Hephzibah with 11 points and 6 assist. #32 E. Bryant added 6 points for Hephzibah. Langford had a balanced attack with #50 A. Merrideth leading with 5 points and #14 T. Dumas, #32 N. Hamilton and #25 K. Tate all had 4 points a piece.



Hephzibah vs Langford (boys) Dec. 17th


From the tip-off of the boys game, Langford showed their dominance with a quick lay-in by #20 Aubrey McRae (Langford) and a lot of forced turnovers that were converted to multiple lay-ins. Hephzibah couldn’t handle the defensive pressure from Langford, as a result, Langford lead at the half 23 to 4. #5 K’Lon Lovett (Hephzibah) gave the crowd some flare with a couple of behind-the-back passes and dribble drives, but just wasn’t enough to handle the Lions.
Final Score: Langford 39 Hephzibah 10

#20 Aubrey McRae led Langford with 11 points. #23 Malcolm Quaterman added 8 points for Langford.