Panthers rebound after disappointing loss
Published 6:22 pm Wednesday, December 12, 2018
- Michael Flemming (20) takes the ball up strong to the basket. Photo by Coleman Price
From Staff Reports
COLUMBUS – After a disappointing 96-79 loss at Dougherty on Saturday, December 8, the Americus-Sumter Panthers (7-1, 3-1) rebounded nicely with an 87-57 road victory at Northside (Columbus) on Tuesday, December 11.
ASHS shooting guard Joshua Lusane had a sensational game, leading all scorers with 28 points. Three other Panthers were in double-figures. Quevoluia Willoughby had 14 points. Joshua Moore had 12 and Melton McCoy chipped in 10 points in the winning cause.
“It was good to get back to the winning side again,” ASHS head coach Michael Hoffpauir said. “We played well defensively, but we still need to cut down on the turnovers. That is a big focus area for us to improve as a team if we are going to contend for a state title.”
The Patriots (3-6, 2-4) were led in scoring by Jhaquez Anderson with 27 points. Aaron Green also chipped in 12 points in the losing cause.
ASHS shooting guard Quevoluia Willoughby takes a shot.
Photo by Coleman Price
The Panthers jumped out to a 20-11 lead in the first quarter. They then outscored the Patriots 19-11 in the second quarter to take a 39-22 halftime lead. Lusane scored most of his points in the fourth quarter, helping the Panthers score 30 fourth-quarter points to put the game out of reach. That is exactly the margin of victory the Panthers had in this game.
Up next for ASHS is a rematch in the “Battle of Lake Blackshear” as they head to Cordele to take on Crisp County on Saturday, December 15, at 7:30 p.m. In the first meeting in this rivalry, the Panthers dominated the Cougars 84-56 at ASHS on Friday, December 7.
