Varsity Hoops Cougars Have Tough Weekend

Piedmont Academy’s varsity basketball teams faced quality opposition this past weekend and were swept by Briarwood and Windsor in region action.

The Lady Cougars fell to Briarwood 38-37 on the road Saturday despite a 19-point fourth quarter. Piedmont was led by Madison McCart, who scored eight points, and Lucy Tuggle, who finished with six.

The varsity girls started the game slow trailed by six at halftime and by seven points after the third quarter. Piedmont caught fire in the game’s final eight minutes, however, as Tuggle scored six points and McCart added five, including a 3-pointer.

Host Briarwood was able to hold on, however, for the one-point victory.

Jayden Young finished with six points for Piedmont while Alexis Dodson and Haley Ann Frank added five points each for the Lady Cougars. Sydney Stroud scored four and Deacon Robinson added two points.

The loss came a day after the varsity girls fell at home to Windsor in region action 45-32. Tuggle led Piedmont with 11 points and Frank scored six. McCart and Young both added five points.

“This was a tough week ,” said Lady Cougars coach Michael Wilson. “We knew it would be and despite the losses, I’m happy with our positioning in region as the final stretch comes. However, we have got to get back on track with our shooting – both with free throws and from the field.”

Overall, the Lady Cougars continue to play well, their coach said.

“We’ve cut down on turnovers and have gotten plenty of good looks,” Wilson said. “ We just are not making them right now. I’ve always believed that if a team is getting good looks at the basket they are playing well and we are. We are focusing on our shooting in practice in order to give ourselves the best chances possible of getting out of this shooting funk and I believe we will.”

The recent schedule of games has been tough.

“I think we are in the midst of a difficult part of our season,” Wilson said.

“January is always tough and bumps in the road happen. I think it’s important to maintain consistency in my approach as we continue to work on areas in which we need work. Basketball is a long season and in order to be where we want to be on Feb. 16, it is important we trust our process and remain consistent in how we practice. If we do that – things will work out how they are supposed to.”

Piedmont’s varsity boys fell to Briarwood on Saturday 77-47 despite 14 points from Tate Marks. Sam Younker added eight points and Brock Greenwood and Ryan Holder both scored six.

Payton Wallace finished with three points while Sam Wright scored two.

The varsity boys also fell to Windsor at home last Friday 54-43. Holder made five 3-pointers to lead the team with 17 points. Wright added seven and Bradley Greenwood scored six.

Piedmont also traveled to Brentwood in Sandersville in region action on Jan. 16. The Lady Cougars fell 54-32 while the boys took a 63-52 victory.

McCart led the Lady Cougars with 15 points against Brentwood while Tuggle and Dodson both scored six.

Wright led the varsity boys with 17 points against Brentwood while Holder scored 13 points, including four 3-pointers. Dylan Coe added seven points while Bradley Greenwood and Brock Greenwood both scored six points. Caleb Coffey finished with five points.

Piedmont’s varsity teams are back in action today, Jan. 25 against Monsignor at home in region action beginning at 6 p.m. The teams will then host Nathanael Greene for non-region games Saturday, Jan. 27 at 1:30 p.m. before traveling to Gatewood Monday for non-region play at 6 p.m.