Piedmont Sweeps Nathanael Greene
The Piedmont Academy varsity basketball teams traveled to Nathanael Greene Academy in Siloam on Nov. 16 and both the Cougars and Lady Cougars returned home victorious.
It was the first victory for Will Johnson as coach of the Piedmont boys who recorded a 71-42 win against the Patriots. Ryan Holder and Payton Wallace paced the Cougars with 12 points each while J.T. Webb added nine points.
Johnson said the key for the Piedmont boys team will be to improve with each game, especially early in the season. Last Thursday’s victory improves the boys to 1-1 during the early portion of 2017-2018.
Piedmont led 11-10 after the first quarter and 26-20 at halftime. The game remained relatively close with the Cougars holding a 46-37 advantage after the third quarter.
It was the fourth quarter where Piedmont went on a 25-5 run to put the game away. Wallace scored 10 of his 12 points in the final eight minutes.
Also contributing in the victory for the Cougars were Bradley Greenwood (nine points), Sam Younker (eight points), Brock Greenwood (eight points) Dylan Coe (six points), Mason Mize (four points), Talon Anglin (two points) and Jackson Waddleton (two points.)
The Piedmont Lady Cougars improved to 2-0 with a 56-40 victory against the Lady Patriots. Lucy Tuggle and Madison McCart led the team with 14 points each. Sydney Stroud added 13 points and Alexis Dodson also finished in double figures with 11 points.
“I am extremely proud of the girls and their start to the season,” said coach Michael Wilson. “I’m especially proud of the way we’ve come out in the third quarter both games. It shows they play hard but also have the ability to listen to adjustments that are needed.”
Gracie Hunt, Haley Ann Frank and Jayden Young also contributed offensively for the Lady Cougars.
The Lady Cougars trailed Nathanael Greene 22-16 at halftime before going on a 21-13 run in the third quarter. Piedmont also outscored its opponent 19-5 in the game’s final quarter.
“To be on the road and have arguably our two best ball handlers (Stroud and McCart) in foul trouble and often on the bench together and then to be able to come back and win like we did will hopefully be a springboard for a great season,” Wilson said.
The Lady Cougars also had a strong defensive effort against Nathanael Greene, their coach said.
“Our press was really good at times,” Wilson said. “There were extended parts of the game when they couldn’t get the basketball across half court and our steals and their turnovers stats looked like a video game. It is something I think this team can use throughout the season and be successful with. We just have to keep improving at moving our feet and being aggressive while not being reckless.”
The Lady Cougars had 39 points off turnovers and 38 steals.
Piedmont’s varsity basketball teams will return to action on Tuesday, Nov. 21 against Covenant Academy in Macon beginning at 6 p.m.