Butler County roundball roundup
Published 10:15 am Friday, December 20, 2024
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By Gary Thomas
Butler County basketball teams have scooped up wins, tipping off the season in style.
Georgiana School Panthers
On Dec. 9, 1A basketball power the Georgiana Panthers took a road trip into Covington County and lassoed a 22-point win over the 4A Straughn Tigers, 73-51. The blue-clad Cats had four players on the hardwood who would end up in the double digits.
Led by Noah Nelson with 21 points, Nasir Cheatham had double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Kavon Miles had 11 points and Jaden Stallworth had 10 in the books last Tuesday night to go 4-and-0 on the year.
Saturday night, homecourt advantage seemed to be the trick as the Andalusia Bulldogs snapped the Panther’s 14-game winning streak taking the win in their own Christmas Tournament, 50-47. The matchup was the perfect dog and cat fight as Georgiana eased by the Hillcrest Evergreen team, 68-62, Friday night.
Panthers coach Kirk Norris hit his 400th career varsity boys’ win on Dec. 12. He began his head coaching career at Slocomb High School in 2005. After two roundball seasons there he found his way to Georgiana and has been at the school ever since.
In 2014, Kirk started coaching the Lady Panthers and has won 150 games as girls’ head coach.
Georgiana is now 6-and-1 on their 2024 basketball campaign. The Panthers head out again this week to meet New Brockton on Thursday and Greenville Saturday.
Fort Dale Academy Eagles
The Fort Dale Eagles soared past the Crenshaw Christian Academy Cougars, 66-29 in their opening-round game of the Eagles’ Championship Tournament. The 2-and-2 Eagles are coming off a road win over the Morgan Academy Senators Tuesday night.
Coach Marshall Watts Eagles took an early lead against the Cougars and never looked back in their 36-point victory. Benen Gaston was the Eagles’ leading scorer as he netted 25 points. Teammate Branson Alford chipped in 18 points.
Fort Dale travels to face Bessemer Academy Friday at 4 p.m.
McKenzie School Tigers
The McKenzie Tigers varsity boys were on the hardwood last week, improving their record to 5-0. On Monday against the Kinston Bulldogs, the Tigers won 65-52 in the dog-and-cat show down.
Jay Jackson led the Tigers with 25 points and 15 boards. The team also got help from Zane Bullard, who had a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Quay Jackson added 16 points in the Tigers’ victory.
Tuesday night the Tigers hosted the 0-1 Highland Home Flying Squadron and came away with a hard-fought 45-38 win. Quay Jackson led the team with 15 points while teammate Devin Covan contributed a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Jay Jackson pulled down 16 rebounds in the win.
On Thursday, the Tigers host Andalusia, with tipoff at 6 p.m.