Scott Phillips
The Americus Times-Recorder
ELLAVILLE —
The Schley County Wildcats were hoping for a weekend sweep of two Region 4-A opponents on Friday and Saturday night as two foes traveled to Ellaville with upsets on their mind. Schley County would have to settle for a weekend split, however, after following their Friday night win over Pacelli with a close 51-41 loss to Central-Talbotton on Saturday.
A momentum swing in the third period on Friday night would help Schley County mount the come-from-behind win over the Vikings of Pacelli. Matt Corbin, a 5’10” junior point guard would nail two three point shots at the end of the third period to tie the game at 40-40 as the two teams entered the fourth and final period. The game might have gotten out of hand in the third period had senior Dexter Mason not scored six points on consecutive possessions to help keep the Wildcats stay in the game before Corbins’ long three would tie up the contest.
In the most crucial stage of the game the Wildcats would come to life, scoring 18 points while holding Pacelli to only 11 points to pull away and claim a 58-51 Region 4-A victory.
Kelsey Soloman would finish as the ‘Cats’ leading scorer in the win with 16 points, followed closely by sophomore Tra Minter with 13 points. Mason would add four more points to his six point third quarter to finish as the Wildcats last double-digit scorer with 10 points.
Following the big win the ‘Cats would take their home court again the next night against a very tough Central-Talbotton squad. The second period would be the difference in the game as Schley County hung close in the first period with a 14 point opener while surrendering only 16 points to their region enemy. Unfortunately for the ‘Cats, Central-Talbotton would outscore them 17-8 in the second period to take a 33-22 into the halftime break. The Wildcats would battle after the half with a 9-8 third quarter victory and a 10-10 fourth quarter tie, but after the disastrous second period the home team would finish on the short end of a 51-41 defeat in the region match-up.
Minter was the only Wildcat to finish the night in double-digits with a 16 point game. Jon Thompson and Mason narrowly missed double-digits, finishing with nine and eight points respectively.
Schley County will have a tough test today as they travel to Dooly County to take on the Bobcats in a hostile Region 4-A environment in Vienna. The Lady Wildcats will tip-off at 6 p.m. with the boys following at approximately 7:30 p.m.
