Middle School Minute (Columbia County)

Three evenings of exciting Columbia County Middle School basketball has transpired.  Here we summarize the current records of the sixteen boys and girls teams and preview Friday's match ups.

Boys Records
1)  Lakeside:  3-0
2)  Grovetown:  2-1
2)  Stallings Island:  2-1
2)  Evans:  2-1
2)  Riverside:  2-1
6)  Columbia:  1-2
7)  Harlem:  0-3
7)  Greenbrier:  0-3

Friday's Matchups

Lakeside Panthers (3-0) at Stallings Island Redhawks (2-1)

Lakeside: Only Undefeated BoysTeam

The Lakeside boys  have consistently played well in early season play.  The Panthers have recorded comfortable wins over Harlem and Columbia and defeated an impressive Grovetown squad.

Kre'Sean Hall and Artest Banks have been especially impressive.  Both are averaging 10 or more points per game by attacking the basket in transition and in the half court offense.  And Hall has shown the ability to shoot from deep as well.

But coach Tom Widenaar is especially pleased with his team's rebounding.  "I didn't think we would rebound this well.  We've dominated the boards at times," the Panthers' coach shared.  Center Dylan Hammett has done a particularly impressive job on the boards.

Redhawk Harrison Brown Wins the Tip

After starting the season undefeated, the Panthers will need to guard against complacency Friday as they visit Stallings Island, a team with impressive interior players and strong momentum following a comeback overtime victory at Harlem and an impressive home victory Tuesday against the previously undefeated Evans Knights.

No team in the county has had better inside play than Stallings Island.  Center Harrison Brown is scoring an extraordinary 21 points per game, including a 35 point outburst against Harlem and a 19 point outing at Grovetown.  Brown is a skilled post player with a nice touch.  And Brown's front court mate, Baret Doss, a very dependable rebounder and scorer inside, has provided a great complement to Brown.  But Stallings Island's inside players also benefit from capable guard play.  Kole Richardson has distributed the ball nicely and made key shots during big moments.

Harlem Bulldogs (0-3) at Grovetown Patriots (2-1)
Grovetown has looked very good at times, and the Patriots' lone loss came on the road to undefeated Lakeside.  The team has been led by effective perimeter play.  Jelani Shakir, a sharp shooting guard who also uses his quickness to attack the basket, has been consistent throughout the young season.  And Nick Murray has shot well from deep at times.

Grovetown is 2-0 at Home

After rebounding from a tough loss at Lakeside with a convincing win against Greenbrier, it appears as if Friday's home game against the winless Harlem Bulldogs should be an easy win for the Patriots.  But looks can be deceiving.

Harlem's 0-3 record does not tell the entire story.  The combined records of the Bulldogs' first three opponents is 7-2.  And Harlem's guard play makes the team particularly dangerous if taken lightly.  Jonathan Worrell and Christian Harris are both capable shooters.  And Worrell has proven he can be a handful for opposing defenses, scoring 34 points against Stallings Island last Friday.

Evans Knights (2-1) at Columbia Raiders (1-2)
Evans looks to rebound after recording its first loss Tuesday at Stallings Island.  Friday's game, the Knights second straight on the road after opening with two straight home wins, gives Evans an opportunity to stay near the top of the standings.

Riverside Returns Home

Columbia can play spoiler and stay within striking distance with a win at home.  The Raiders are certainly capable of handing Evans its second straight road loss and proving there is a lot left to be proven before the teams that will finish at the top of the standings can be predicted.

Riverside Eagles (2-1) at Greenbrier Wolfpack (0-3)
Riverside will aim to improve to 3-1 and stay near the top of the regular season standings.  The Eagles sport road wins against Columbia and Harlem.  Their lone loss came on the road at Evans.  Riverside combines effective shooting with opportunistic, pressure defense.

The Eagles will need to defend the post and rebound well, as Greenbrier's inside play is effective.

Girls Records
1)  Evans:  3-0
2)  Greenbrier:  2-1
3)  Columbia:  2-1
4)  Stallings Island:  2-1
5)  Riverside:  1-2
6)  Harlem:  1-2
7)  Grovetown:  1-2
8)  Lakeside:  0-3

Friday's Matchups

Evans: The Only Undefeated Girls Team

Evans Knights (3-0) at Columbia Raiders (2-1)
The undefeated Knights face a tough road test against the Columbia Raiders.  Evans has been impressive early in the season.  The Knights are led by Bobbi Wardwell, a fundamentally sound player with a nice shooting touch, and Kiyana Nelson, who attacks the basket, runs the floor, and crashes the boards.

Columbia is led by the highly skilled and highly intelligent point guard play of Elizabeth Metress.  Metress can shoot from deep, find her own shot off the dribble, and handle the ball and finish with either hand.  But most impressive is her ability, and willingness, to set her teammates up for easy baskets.

Riverside Eagles (1-2) at Greenbrier Wolfpack (2-1)
The Wolfpack has been led throughout this young season by Destiny Marshall, who at times has scored the majority of her team's points, including a 19 point performance against Columbia and a 16 point outing at Grovetown.

Riverside is coming off its first victory, a road win at Harlem Tuesday evening.

Lakeside Panthers (0-3) at Stallings Island Redhawks (2-1)

Redhawks are at Home Friday

The Panthers are looking for their first victory of the season, and Stallings Island will aim to rebound after a home loss to Evans Tuesday.  The Redhawks benefited from the impressive play of point guard Caitlyn Cox in a road win versus Grovetown, and they won a close game at Harlem.

Harlem Bulldogs (1-2) at Grovetown Patriots (1-2)
One of these teams will improve to a .500 record with a win Friday night.  Grovetown has been led by the inside play of Andrea Ferbee.