Squaws, Indians begin region tournament play next week
Dodge County News,
February 11, 2009
By Chad
W. Smith
The Dodge County High Squaws and Indians basketball teams traveled to Screven County on Friday, February 6 for their only games last week. The fourth ranked Squaws (20-2) lost only their third game of the season against a very talented Screven County team, 63-51. The Indians picked up a good win with 60-50 victory over the Gamecocks.
The Squaws held a 20-15 lead over Screven County after one quarter. Janna Anderson had two of her five three-pointers in the quarter and Tahitia Butler scored six the old fashioned way to lead Dodge. Dodge held a 34-31 lead over the Lady Gamecocks at the half. Michelle Mitchell and Butler each had four points in the second to lead Dodge. Screven outscored the Squaws 21-5 to take a 52-39 lead in the third quarter. Dodge outscored Screven 12-11 in the final quarter but fell 63-51 to Lady Gamecocks. Nisha Walker led with five points in the quarter. Final scoring for the Squaws was: Janna Anderson, 15 points; Tahitia Butler, 14 points; Nisha Walker, 12 points; Michelle Mitchell, nine points; Courtni Howard one point.
The Indians led 13-12 after one quarter against the Gamecocks. Calvin Nash had five points and Jermayne Hamilton hit two three-pointers in the first quarter. Screven outscored the Indians 12-11 in the second quarter to tie the game at 24-24 at halftime. Herschel Anderson led Dodge with four points in the quarter. The Indians and Gamecocks remained tied at the end of three quarters at 38-38. Cyprin Burse led with six points in the quarter. The Indians outscored Screven 22-12 in the final quarter to pull away with 60-50 win. Hamilton and Burse each scored eight points to lead Dodge in the fourth. Final scoring for the Indians was: Cyprin Burse, 16 points; Jermayne Hamilton, 15 points; Calvin Nash, nine points; Leonard Floyd, eight points; Herschel Anderson, four points; Telvin Strutchens, four points; Tamius Lemon, two points.
The Squaws and Indians finish the regular season with two non-region games this week. On Tuesday, February 10 they were scheduled to host Hawkinsville and will host West Laurens on Friday, February 13 for senior night. Both games begin at 6:00 p.m.
After two non-region games on tap for this week, the Squaws and Indians head into region tournament play at Southeast Bulloch High School on February 17-21. The Squaws are the number one seed from side B of Region 3AA and will play their first game in the region tournament on Thursday, February 19 at 8:30 p.m. A win on Thursday automatically qualifies the Squaws for the state tournament and puts them in the 7:00 p.m. semi-final game of region on Friday, February 20. A win on Friday would advance the Squaws to the region championship game at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 21. A loss would put the Squaws in the 5:30 p.m. third/fourth place game on Saturday. The Indians are the number four seed from the B side of Region 3AA and will play in the first round of the tournament on Tuesday, February 17 at 5:30 p.m. A win on Tuesday, would place the Indians against Laney at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 18. A win on Wednesday puts the Indians into the semi-finals and automatically in the state tournament. A loss in either game on Tuesday or Wednesday would send the Indians home for the season. Check elsewhere in this issue of The Dodge County News for the full region tournament brackets as of press time on Tuesday, February 10.