Sports
Athens Week In Review: Dec. 23-29
By: Emily Rorris
Posted on:
GIRLS
This week, the Lady Bulldogs traveled down to Orlando, Fla. to play in the KSA Classic.
The team dominated against St. Dominic High School (NY) in their first game of the tournament on Dec. 27. The Lady Bulldogs finished the game with a 52-26 victory, doubling their opponent’s score.
The Lady Bulldogs came into this game looking to continue their undefeated season.
This followed their previous game, in which junior guard Dominique Doseck scored her 1,000th career point. This team was full of energy and it showed on the court. The Lady Bulldogs kept their lead strong throughout the game, never allowing more than nine points by the St. Dominic Lady Bayhawks.
Following their impressive victory, Athens went on to play Pisgah High School (NC), in the second round of the classic on Dec. 28. The Lady Bulldogs defeated the Pisgah Lady Bears 67-55.
The Lady Bulldogs (12-0, 4-0) will continue in the KSA Classic on Monday, December 30th where they will take on Hamden Hall Country Day High School (CT) in another neutral tournament game.
BOYS
The Athens boys team also travelled down to Orlando this week to play in the KSA Classic.
Although the boys won their first round game 61-42, the boys fell short in the second round losing 56-62.
On Dec. 27, the Bulldogs took on North Miami High School (FL) in a thrilling 61-42 victory.
According to head coach Jeff Skinner, “The competition was phenomenal and it took time to get used to the size and physicality of the other team.”
Once they got adjusted, the Bulldogs took over the game. Leading the team was forward Joe Burrow and guard Ibi Watson both with 14 points. Ryan Luehrman also put up 11 points for the Bulldogs. Athens moved to 5-1 while North Miami fell to 6-7.
In their second round game on Dec. 28, the Bulldogs failed to maintain their winning streak falling 56-62 in overtime against the Bishop Eustace Crusaders (NJ). The boys managed to keep the lead in the first half, finishing the first quarter at a 17-13 lead and finishing the half up by seven, 33-26.
However, the Crusaders made an impressive comeback, finishing the third quarter up 44-41. The Bulldogs managed to tie up the game during the fourth but weren’t able to keep the momentum going in overtime. Burrow and Watson once again led the scoring with 18 points each.
When asked about the competition within the tournament, Skinner responded, “We had to play as good as we possibly could to do as well as we did and we have really been trying to up our non-league play and challenge ourselves.”
Skinner was all-around pleased with both days of competition and is looking forward to the next round of the tournament.
After their loss the Bulldogs, will move on to compete for third place in the tournament on Monday, Dec. 30 taking on Shawnee High School (NJ).