Americus-Sumter Panthers win overtime thriller over Westover

Published 2:55 pm Monday, January 14, 2019

: ASHS senior forward Joshua Moore trying to score against two Westover defenders. Moore scored nine points and grabbed seven rebounds in the Panthers’ 79-77 overtime win. Photo by Coleman Price

From Staff Reports

AMERICUS – After a lackluster performance in their 72-67 loss at Carver (Columbus) on Friday, January 11, the Panthers (13-2, 7-2) rebounded and fought through 32 minutes of basketball and beyond to earn a hard-fought 79-77 overtime win over Westover Saturday evening, January 12, at Americus-Sumter High School (ASHS).

Junior shooting guard Trae Brown led the Panthers in scoring with 22 points and hit two three-pointers in the game. Brown also went 6-of-9 from the foul line, tallied three steals and dished out three assists in the Panthers’ win. Senior forward Joshua Lusane posted a double-double against the Patriots. Lusane scored 17 points and pulled down 10 rebounds. Lusane also got it done on the defensive end as well. He tallied five steals and dished out two assists.

ASHS senior guard Michael Flemming goes up for a shot against Westover.
Photo by Ken Gustafson

Brown and Lusane weren’t the only scorers in double-figures for the Panthers. Junior guard Quevoluia Willoughby scored 11 points. He also dished out three assists and created two steals. Senior forward Michael Flemming also chipped in nine points and grabbed five rebounds in the winning cause. Senior forward Joshua Moore nearly posted a double-double for the Panthers. Moore scored nine points and hauled down seven rebounds.

The Panthers jumped out to a 21-16 lead by the end of the first quarter. Both teams went back and forth in the second quarter, with the Panthers edging out Westover 15-13 to take a 36-29 halftime lead.

The Patriots slightly outscored ASHS in the third quarter 20-18, but the Panthers still led at the end of the quarter 54-49. However, the Patriots outscored the Panthers in the fourth quarter 20-15. By the end of regulation, the score was tied at 69-69 and the two teams would have to play an extra period to decide a winner.

ASHS senior forward Joshua Lusane battles for a rebound against Westover. Lusane posted a double-double, scoring 17 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in the Panthers’ win.
Photo by Coleman Price

In the overtime period, ASHS was able to outscore Westover 10-8 to take the hard-earned victory. With the win, the Panthers are currently in second place at 7-2 in the Region 1-AAAA standings. They trail Carver (Columbus), who sits at the top with an undefeated region record of 9-0.

The Panthers will try to keep pace with the Tigers when they continue region play at Shaw in Columbus on Tuesday, January 15. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.