‘Canes Post Region Victory
The ‘Canes defeated the GMC Bulldogs 60-53 Tuesday for their first region victory. It was a game in which the ‘Canes trailed the Bulldogs for almost the entire game before finally taking a two point lead with just over five minutes to play.
The Bulldogs came out strong and jumped out to an 8 point lead behind their highly recruited 6 foot 10 inch center. The first period ended with the ‘Canes down 12-8, but early in the second period James Lawrence brought the score to within 1 with a lay up and a free throw.
Coddy Carter tied the score at 20 when he hit his first basket, and a few moments later put them ahead 24-23 when he sank a free throw with 59 seconds left in the half. But the lead was short lived when the Bulldogs pulled away and led 29-25 at the half.
The ‘Canes came out cold in the third period, missed four straight shots, but kept battling to keep the game within reach as the third quarter ended with them down by five, 42-37.
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Then Nick Standifer got hot and hit three three-pointers in a row and tied the game up at 46 with six minutes left to play.
The ‘Canes took their second lead of the night, 48-46, when Carter was fouled and sank both free throws.
With 4:15 left to play both teams put on a full court press and the score was tied again at 53 with 1:40 left on the game clock.
With 1:08 left Keldrick Davis missed his first foul shot, but make the second to put the ‘Canes on top 54-53, a lead which they never relinquished, and went on to win 60-53.
Head coach Steve Spruell said, “We didn’t shoot the ball very well, especially in the first half. Then some of our older guys stepped up and made some plays. Their center is a very big boy and a force that we just don’t have an answer for. But the boys played very well and our guards finally started making some shots and it worked out for us.”
N. Standifer led the scoring with 20 points; followed by Davis and Carter with 12 each; Octavius Epps, 5; Lawrence and Josh Thompson, 3 each; Lance Dennis, 2; and B. J. Ross, 1.
Last Friday night the ‘Canes were defeated 78-63 by region rival the Twiggs County Cobras. N. Standifer led the scoring with 26 points; followed by Carter with 15; Davis, 9; Thompson, 5; Ross, 4; and Epps and Lawrence, 2 each.
The ‘Canes take a break from region play and travel to Jackson this Saturday for a 7:30 p.m. game. They jump back into region play on Tuesday, Jan. 23 when they travel to Sparta to try to avenge a loss to the Hancock Bulldogs.