AMERICUS —
The Americus-Sumter Panthers and Lady Panthers were looking to make a statement on Saturday night as the AAAAA Warner Robins Demons and Lady Demons traveled to Americus for a non-region match-up. Following the Lady Panthers thrilling overtime defeat of the Lady Demons, the Panthers completed a stellar come-from-behind win to sweep the double-header in dramatic fashion.
The Lady Panthers fell behind Warner Robins in the first period, but managed to keep the score close at 9-6. That defensive effort allowed the Lady Panthers to fight their way back to a 21-21 tie at the end of the first half. Trailing 21-16, the Lady Panthers went on a 5-0 run to end the half and take the momentum into the locker room for the break.
The third period would be a back-and-fourth affair as Americus-Sumter and Warner Robins traded baskets. Warner Robins got a score just before the buzzer to take a 35-33 lead into the final period, but the resilient Lady Panthers were not giving up just yet.
Americus-Sumter began the final period on a 14-7 lead, but Warner Robins would score the final five points of the period thanks to free throws to tie the game 47-47 and force an overtime period.
The four minute overtime period could not have started any better for the Lady Panthers as they scored the first six points of the make-or-break period to take a 53-48 lead with just 1:12 remaining in the contest. Warner Robins would score the next two points to narrow the gap to 53-51, but a huge free throw by Briana Burney would seal the 54-52 victory over the Lady Demons. Kahler Fletcher would score 14 points in the victory along with Tanyette Hill who added 13 rebounds to her 14 points for a double-double. Kayla Bowens added 11 points and three steals, and Diamond Denmark scored eight points to go with her 11 rebounds and four steals. A’Dasjah Mercer would also pull down 12 rebounds in the win for the Lady Panthers.
The boy’s game would follow and be nearly as exciting as the girl’s game as the teams made sure that the local Panther fans got their money’s worth.
Warner Robins started the game on a powerful 15-2 run, but by the end of the first period the Panthers narrowed the gap to 19-11 in favor of the Demons. A much more solid period in the second quarter would close the gap even more, but the Panthers still entered the halftime break trailing 36-26 with one half left to play.
Head coach Michael Coley’s Panthers would play the second half with their socks on fire, starting with a 20-14 third period to close the gap even more to 50-46. An amazing three-point buzzer beater from Xavier Willis at the end of the third period would give the Panthers all the momentum going into the final period, and they would capitalize on that swing.
The fourth period would be dominated by the Panthers, highlighted by two free throws by Willis to tie the game at 57-57, and to take a 58-57 lead with 5:01 remaining.
After several Demon baskets, a technical foul was called on the Warner Robins assistant coaches, and the Demons were soon called for a second technical foul on one of their players. The techs allowed the Panthers to go on a 7-0 run and take a late 71-66 lead with 20.5 seconds remaining. The Demons would score one last basket, but a stolen inbound pass would end the game with the Panthers holding a 71-68 advantage.
Several Panthers had huge nights on Saturday including Willis who scored a team-leading 19 points. Mike Russell added an impressive 15 point night, and Juwan High added 14 points. Michael Volley scored 12 points to go along with 13 rebounds in another double-double effort for the season.
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Related Photos
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Kahler Fletcher drives to the basket in Americus-Sumter's overtime win against Warner Robins on Saturday night
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Michael Volley flies to the rim against Warner Robins. Volley’s double-double helped the Panthers take down the Demons 71-69 in Americus on Saturday night.
Americus-Sumter sweeps Warner Robins in thrilling fashion
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