Saturday's hoops final: Class 5A No. 1 vs. Class 4A No. 1 Upson-Lee, something had to give; and area scores and roundup
By Michael A. Lough
The Sports Report
centralgasports@gmail.com
It didn’t come down to the final seconds, but Warner Robins and Upson-Lee did anything but disappoint in their meeting for the Lake City Classic championship Saturday night in Allatoona.
Upson-Lee trailed early and by one at halftime, but pulled ahead and pulled away for an 84-73 win over Warner Robins Saturday night in a battle of the state’s top-ranked teams in Class 4A and 5A.
The Knights won their 48th straight game behind the work of tournament MVP Tye Fagan and all-tournament team member Travon Walker.
Fagan, a Middle Tennessee State signee, had 33 points, four rebounds and six blocks. Walker added another double-double with 18 points and 16 rebounds.
JaCorey Smith was big with 16 points, six rebounds and three assists, while point guard Zyrice Scott had 15 points, five assists and three steals.
Warner Robins put Nelson Phillips – despite missing a game – and Jacolbey Owens on the all-tournament team. Phillips, headed to Georgia State, had 24 points and Owens 24 points and eight rebounds.
Warner Robins (11-1) led 39-38 at halftime, but Upson-Lee soon took the lead in the third quarter, sparked by a key 3-pointer from Fagan, who was 9-of 10 at the line at one point. The Knights (16-0) led 56-49 after three quarters and maintained a multiple-possession advantage after that.
The Demons are back in action in big-team play, taking on Gainesville Tuesday in the Big South Shootout at Duluth. The Knights are off until Jan. 9 when they host Spalding in Region 2-AAAA action.
SATURDAY'S SCORES
Girls
Baldwin 66, Central 62, at Baldwin Holiday Shootout
Central dropped to only 10-2 in falling to 11-0 Baldwin.
Early County 79, Dooly County 45
Fullington 50, Mount de Sales 39
GMC 50, Schley County 26
Southwest 68, Dublin 41
Taylor County 48, Clinch County 37
Washington County 52, Cedar Shoals 47, at Baldwin Holiday Shootout
Destiny Ellison's 19 points and 5 rebounds led Washington County (9-3) to the win over Class 5A Cedar Shoals. Nijeria Jordan added 18 points and 4 rebounds and Miracle Parker 13 points, including a pair of clutch late 3-pointers.
Westside 59, Jackson 43, at Mary Persons Holiday Classic
Boys
Baldwin 67, Lakeside 53, at Baldwin Holiday Shootout
Dublin 83, Southwest 71
GMC 52, Schley County 51
Mary Persons 71, Carrollton 66, at Mary Persons Holiday Classic
The hosts won the tournament, beating a Class 5A program. Cam Holden, the tourney MVP, led the Bulldogs with 33 points and 10 rebounds while Tre Edge added 13 points.
Monticello 63, Putnam County 51, at Mary Persons Holiday Classic
Spencer 71, Dooly County 59
Washington County 63, Central 54, at Baldwin Holiady Shootout
Jamarius Dixon topped the Golden Hawks with 20 points and 6 rebounds, while Jawan Dukes had 10 rebounds. Curtis Brown and Conner Frazier teamed for 27 points.
Upson-Lee 84, Warner Robins 73, at Lake City Classic/Allatoona
West Laurens 76, Jackson 49, at Mary Persons Holiday Classic
FRIDAY'S SCORES
Girls
Baldwin 39, Lakeside 27, at Baldwin Holiday Shootout
Central 49, Cedar Shoals 45, at Baldwin Holiday Shootout
The 10-1 Chargers were led again by Jada Clowers, who neared a double-double with 14 points and 9 rebounds. JeNya Wilder got the double-double with 12 points and 10 boards, while Tyleia Williams had 11 points and 5 steals and ReNesha Goolsby 10 points.
GMC 53, Fullington 28
Lamar County 61, Riverdale 46, at Alvin Copeland Christmas Classic/Northeast
The Trojans improved to 7-5
Macon County 58, Washington 42, at Alvin Copeland Christmas Classic
Manchester 65, Taylor County 29
Mount de Sales 39, Schley County 34
Northside 53, Westside, 48, at Mary Persons Holiday Classic
Putnam County 64, Upson-Lee 48, at Mary Persons Holiday Classic
Stratford 52, Lake Oconee Acad. 27, at Tattnall Christmas Tournament
Tri-Cities 46, Rutland 42, at Alvin Copeland Christmas Classic/Northeast
Tri-Cities takes third place
Washington County 61, Southwest Atlanta Christian 27, at Baldwin Holiday Shootout
Destinee Ellison led the No. 6 Golden Hawks (8-3) with 14 points, while Nijeria Jordan had seven rebounds.
Boys
Dublin 77, Wilkinson County 75
Clarence Jackson, formerly of Wilkinson County, led Dublin with 25 points, including the game-winner at the buzzer. Kam Pauldo added 24 points.
FPD 68, Washington 41, at Alvin Copeland Christmas Classic/Northeast
The Vikings take third place.
GMC 72, Fullington 32
Greenville 80, Crawford County 68
Macon County 80, Northeast 56, at Alvin Copeland Christmas Classic/Northeast
Lakeviyon Walker's 22 points and eight rebounds led the Bulldogs to the tourney title.
Mary Persons 90, Griffin 45, at Mary Persons Holiday Classic
Cam Holden's 33-point, 8-rebound, 5-assist evening paced the Bulldogs, who reached the tournament final with the win.
Rutland 77, Lamar County 64, at Alvin Copeland Christmas Classic/Northeast
Stratford 73, Strong Rock 48, at Tattnall Christmas Tournament
Terrell County 75, Dooly County 51
Jarquavius Brown led the Bobcats with 28 points and 5 boards while Zeff Felton added 9 points and 10 rebounds.
Union Grove 65, Tattnall 59, at Tattnall Christmas Tournament
Upson-Lee 72, Huffman, Ala. 63, at Lake City Classic/Allatoona
Tye Fagan led the Knights (15-0) to their 47th straight win with 24 points and eight rebounds. JaCorey Smith continued a great month with 15 points and four boards. Cameron Traylor had four assists and 12 points, while Travon Walker had 10 points and seven rebounds.
West Laurens 64, Putnam County 38, at Mary Persons Holiday Classic