Lady Cougars Improve to 10-1 Overall

Four additional wins have the Piedmont Academy Lady Cougars on the path to potentially one of the best seasons in program history.

The Lady Cougars, who are now 10-1 overall, dispatched of long-time rival Gatewood 50-22 at home on Friday. Haley Ann Frank (19 points), Sydney Stroud (11 points) and Marissa Holder (10 points) helped lead a balanced scoring attack for the Lady Cougars.

Jayden Young finished with eight points while Hannah Tyler and Maddie Waddleton both scored one.

“We are playing well right now but, more importantly, we are playing well together,” said coach Michael Wilson. “It starts with Sydney at point. When she’s on the court we are a really tough and smart team. Her personality carries over to the rest. When she’s not on the court, we struggle with moving the basketball. She is sacrificing points but making up for it with assists and with being a leader.”

Stroud is averaging five assists per game and is helping pace the team along with Haiden Crews and Frank, their coach said.

The Lady Cougars cruised to a 58-23 region win on the road Saturday against Oak Mountain Academy in Carrollton. Holder (20 points) and Jayden Young (12 points) helped lead a balanced scoring attack.

Waddleton added eight points with Frank scoring six.

Piedmont cruised to a 58-14 road win on Monday against Griffin Christian. The outcome was determined early as the Lady Cougars led by 20 points after the first quarter.

Holder paced a balanced offensive attack with 11 points while Haiden Crews. Tyler and Frank each adding eight points. Stroud and Waddleton both contributed six points with Young adding five.

Kylee Keck, Abby Arnold and Bailey Mobley all added two points.

Piedmont ventured to New Creation Christian Academy in McDonough on Tuesday and returned home with a 57-23 win. Holder had 17 with Frank scoring 15 and Waddleton with 10.

“We are really using our speed to create turnovers and get easy baskets,” Wilson said of his team’s recent play.

The Lady Cougars continue their busy month of January traveling to Class AAA John Milledge Academy on Thursday and to LaGrange Academy on Friday. Both games begin at 6 p.m.

Friday’s contest is a region matchup as Piedmont is currently 2-0 in GISA 1-AA.

“Thursday will be a huge test,” Wilson said of John Milledge. “They are well coached and have plenty of size and athletes. It’s been a while since we’ve beaten them and if we want to go in and get a win at their place then everyone needs to play their best and leave it all on the floor.”

Having success on the boards will also be key.

“We are going to have to rebound and take care of the basketball,” Wilsons said. “Giving them extra possessions is a dangerous proposition, but if we play like we are capable then I like our chances of making it a competitive game. I think we are starting to believe we can be a good team by the season’s end. This group is so much fun to coach. I love to watch them play when we compete as a team.”