Piedmont Varsity Hoops Fall to Long-time Rival
Piedmont Academy’s varsity basketball teams traveled to Gatewood in Eatonton on Monday for an anticipated matchup with an old rival.
Unfortunately for the Cougars and Lady Cougars, the host teams emerged victorious.
Piedmont’s boys fell 64-54 despite three players in double figures including Ryan Holder with 16, including four 3-pointers. Bradley Greenwood added 14 points while Tate Marks scored 13.
The Cougars had a strong fourth quarter scoring 26 points but were unable to overtake the Gators.
The Lady Cougars fell to Gatewood on Monday 58-29. Haley Ann Frank led the team with nine points while Alexis Dodson scored seven.
Prior to Monday, the Piedmont boys defeated Nathanael Greene Academy 52-38 Saturday at home.
The Cougars were led by a 19-point performance by Marks and a 15-point showing by Bradley Greenwood. Caleb Coffey, Caden Clark and Brock Greenwood each scored three points in the non-region victory.
The Lady Cougars took a 38-19 win against the NGA Lady Patriots behind 13 points by Lucy Tuggle. Madison McCart and Sydney Stroud both added seven points while Dodson scored five and Frank score four.
In region action, Piedmont swept visiting Monsignor Donovan on Jan. 25. The Lady Cougars won 56-23 and were paced by 17 points by McCart, including eight points in the opening quarter.
Gracie Hunt added eight points while Stroud, Dodson and Hannah Tyler each scored seven. Frank finished with six points and Tuggle scored four points.
The Piedmont boys defeated Monsignor Donovan 47-19 as nine players contributed points. Ryan Holder led the Cougars with nine followed by Marks and Coffey (eight each), Wright (five), Clark, Sam Younker and Brock Greenwood (three each) and Talon Anglin (two).
In non-region play, the Lady Cougars were defeated by Gatewood 45-29 on Jan. 23 at home. McCart led the team with 13 points. Frank added five points while Jayden Young scored four. Tuggle added three points with Dodson and Stroud both scoring two points.
Piedmont’s varsity boys fell in overtime 50-49 to Gatewood. Wright led the team with 16 points while Marks finished in double figures with 12. Holder added seven points while Younker scored five.
The teams were tied at 14 after the first quarter with Piedmont holding a 24-19 lead at halftime. The Gators had evened the score at 33 after the third quarter and the game was tied at 40 at the end of regulation.
“I am proud of the hard work the players are giving,” said Piedmont varsity boys coach Will Johnson. “We are starting to click. After our first loss to Gatewood we bounced back with two wins and did not look ahead to the rematch.”
Johnson noted that the competition in Piedmont’s region is “very competitive” and said the “team playing the best in upcoming region tournament will have the best chance.”
The Cougars have battled illness which has kept various players sidelined. Johnson praised the recent efforts of Wright, Marks, Anglin and Coffee.
“The players are coming to work every day,” the coach said. “The losses to Gatewood are tough but they are a very good team at 17-3 overall. Playing against them is a good test to see where we are as a team. I am excited to see how we play down the stretch of the regular season and in the region tournament.”
Gatewood outscored the Cougars 10-9 in overtime.
The Piedmont varsity basketball teams will return to action Friday, Feb. 2 when they host Brentwood in region play beginning at 6 p.m. Non-region games are set for Saturday, Feb. 3 against Covenant Academy at home beginning at 3:30 p.m.