Cougars Benefit from Balanced Scoring Attack

Piedmont Academy’s varsity boys basketball team earned a home non-region win against Brentwood last Friday.

The Cougars took the 49-38 victory behind 16-point performances by Ryan Holder and Luke Welch. Jackson Welch contributed to the balanced offensive attack with 12 points.

J. Welch also had 12 rebounds and Jeb Satterfield was also credited for his defensive effort.

“We knew it was going to be a tough game,” coach Will Johnson said.

“The last time we played them they didn’t have their best defender.”

The coach said holding Brentwood to 38 points was a credit to how well the Cougars played defensively.

The following day the Cougars played Locust Grove, a Class AAAAA GHSA school, and fell just short of a win in a 55-53 contest that went down to the final buzzer.

“Locust Grove has a winning record in their region,” Johnson said. “I think most people thought we wouldn’t have a chance. We did miss Cole Wade who was out with an ankle injury. I was worried about us being tired with such a quick turnaround from Friday night. We really played well the first 30 minutes. Unfortunately, games last 32 minutes.”

Holder had a huge night with 27 points. The junior had eight fields, one 3-pointer and was 8-of-8 from the foul line.

Satterfield added 10 points while Jackson Welch and Bradley Greenwood both scored six. Luke Welch added four points. Satterfield also pulled down 13 rebounds.

“We had 15 turnovers in the game and eight of them were in the fourth quarter,” Johnson said. “That is tough to take. Turnovers cost us the game.”

Piedmont trailed by five points in the final minute but cut the deficit to two points and had multiple attempts at a potential game-winning 3-pointer.

“We didn’t get the win but we can take something from this game,” Johnson said. “It was a tough one to take but I am proud of how well we played against such a formidable opponent.”

The Cougars returned to region play on Tuesday and defeated Windsor Academy 74-43 at home. Piedmont is 10-5 overall and 4-0 against region foes.

Holder continued his standout season with 24 points while Luke Welch added 21. Jackson Welch added 10 points in Tuesday’s win while Satterfield scored six.

Piedmont will host John Milledge Academy on Thursday (7:30 p.m.) and travel to Creekside Christian in McDonough on Saturday (3 p.m.)

The Trojans are still undefeated this season and Creekside is one of the top teams in AAA as well.