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By Gary Thomas

Here’s a look back at what happened in Butler County roundball action.

Greenville Tigers

The Greenville Tigers broke through a three-game losing streak, winning on the road when The Calhoun School forfeited with an eight-point lead in their Saturday matchup, 62-56. Leading Greenville with 19 points and 14 rebounds was Kendre Bullard.

Assisting the Tigers in the win Z. Ruffin-Johnson at 13 points and 13 rebounds. The Tigers are now at 4-12 on the season.

The Lady Tigers fell to Calhoun in their Saturday contest, 46-35. Now at 6-7 overall, the Tigers travel to face Brew Tech in Montgomery Friday.

Georgiana School Panthers

The Georgiana ladies won the last time when they faced Southside of Selma and they came out on top again on Jan. 6 in the “battle of the Panthers.” The Butler County team had claimed a resounding 52-to-21 victory, a 31-point margin which set a new team best for the season.

The winning streak did not last and the Lady Panthers lost 67-56 to the Brantley Bulldogs Thursday. 

The varsity boys pushed their record up to 11-4 with a 60-46 victory over Southside. It was Georgiana’s 21st straight home win dating back to last year. 

The boys’ win came thanks in part to their offensive performance across the period, averaging 74 points a game. Georgiana was led by Kavedn Miles, who had 26 points and 10 rebounds in their victory.

On Thursday, Georgiana came tearing into the game on a winning streak, a stretch where they have outscored their opponents by at least 18 points a game and left the Brantley game with even more momentum as they snuck past the Bulldogs in a 78-73 victory.

That result was more of the same for these two schools as the Panthers also won the last time they met. With the victory, Georgiana now stands at 13-and-4 overall. The Panthers win now has them in a three-game winning streak on the road, averaging 71 points per game.

The Panthers will travel to Flomaton on Jan. 16.

Fort Dale Academy Eagles

In a key area basketball matchup, the 3-and-6 Fort Dale Eagles lost by 15 points, 56-41, to the Hooper Academy Colts. The Eagles were led in scoring by the back court pair of Harrison Scott and Dain Winters. Scott 15 points while Winters chipped in 10 points.

The Lady Eagles came away with a two-point win over the Lady Colts by a score of 40-38. The Eagles’ girls were led in scoring by Brinkley Long who had a double-double with 15 points and grabbed 14 boards.

The Eagles’ JV boys won in exciting fashion as guard Cooper De Le Ree hit a buzzer beater to win by one, 16-15.

The Eagles will host Evangel Christian on Thursday.

McKenzie School Tigers

In a Butler-Covington County cat fight on Jan. 6, the McKenzie Tigers came out on top of the Opp Bobcats, 44-37. The Tigers’ win gave them back-to-back wins and their fifth straight road win dating back to last year.

McKenzie got their win on the backs of several key players, but it was Jay Jackson out in front who dropped a double-double with 12 points and 15 rebounds. Jackson is on a roll when it comes to rebounds as he has now pulled down eight or more in the last seven games. 

The Tigers also got help from forward Zane Bullard, who posted six points and seven rebounds.

On Jan. 7, the Tigers posted their closest victory since Nov. 20, 2023 with a 51-,48 victory over the Brantley Bulldogs on home court. Success against Brantley was the result of a balanced attack that saw several players step up. But Quay Jackson was the “big dog” for the Tigers with 17 points, 10 boards and nine steals.

The nine steals gave Jackson a now-career high. Forward Jay Jackson also made a big difference with a double-double, 17 points and 15 boards.

McKenzie hit the road last Thursday in a feline matchup with the 1-8 Elba Tigers, winning by a 49-point margin, 80-31. But the result was not entirely unexpected as the Tigers are 9-and-3 and coming off a big upset win over Brantley.

The McKenzie win was a team effort with many players turning in a great game. But the best show came from Devin Covan, who went 10-of-12 shooting from the floor and notching 25 points, a career high.

His counterpart, Quay Jackson racked up a double-double on 21 points and 10 assists. The win marked the sixth road win for the Tigers who defeated Kinston, 68-52, Friday and will play Red Level at home on Jan. 16.

Gary “Gooch” Thomas is a long-time Crenshaw County resident, football fan and freelance writer.