Sports
Athens Bulldogs: Dec. 20-27
By: Blake Baker
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A red hot start and a bounce-back game for Griffin Lutz helped Athens capture a 60-30 win at Jackson Dec. 22.
After losing four straight games to start the season, Athens will carry a 3-5 record into its 14 day holiday break, and are feeling good after a huge win against the Ironmen.
The Bulldogs began the game on an 8-0 run. Lutz and Dalton Cozart combined for all eight points, and helped the ‘Dogs end the first half with a 22 point lead.
Lutz turned in a solid performance after scoring an uncharacteristic five points against Bishop Watterson on Saturday, finishing Tuesday’s contest with 27 points in just under three quarters of play. Bulldogs Coach Jeff Skinner was happy with the way Lutz performed after an unusually slow game against Watterson.
“Griffin really impressed me in the way he bounced back this game,” Skinner said. “He gave us 27 points and double digit rebounds. His turnover-to-assist ratio was also great, and he was really the key to our solid performance.”
Along with Lutz, Zacciah Saltzman had a solid night, adding double digit points and some key rebounds. Just about every Bulldog got in on the action as all but one recorded double digit minutes against the Ironmen.
Heading into the holiday break, Athens is confident after winning three of its last four games, and Skinner feels it’s because he and his team, despite the early losses, have changed very little about their play.
“We’ve done a great job of staying the course,” Skinner said. “With a young team, you’re going to have holes in your game, but we’ve done a good job of patching up those holes and sticking to it. Our guys have done a terrific job of staying the course and getting better.”
The Bulldogs hope to continue their winning ways when they take the floor again to host Warren on Jan. 5.