A more energetic second half leads to victory for Panthers over Upson-Lee
Published 12:45 am Wednesday, December 9, 2020
- Americus-Sumter forward Devon Dowdell goes up to score. Dowdell led the Panthers in scoring with 13 points against Upson-Lee. Photo by Ken Gustafson
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AMERICUS – Perhaps it was the long lay off due to the postponement and cancelation of the Peach County and Westover games last weekend. For whatever reason, according to Americus-Sumter boys’ head basketball coach Johnny Genwright, his Panthers lacked energy in the first half of their Region 2-AAA contest against Upson-Lee (UL). Fortunately for the Panthers, they found that missing energy in the second half. ASHS turned it up a notch on the defensive end and controlled the offensive boards on their way to a 55-38 victory over the Knights on Tuesday, December 8, at the Panther Den.
The Panthers had three players score in double figures. Devon Dowdell led ASHS in scoring with 13 points and Jordan Wiley poured in 11. Darion Mitchell was also in double figures with 10 points.
Americus-Sumter Guard Darion Mitchell scored 10 points and grabbed three rebounds to help lead the Panthers to a 55-38 win over Upson-Lee.
Photo by Ken Gustafson
“We started out really sluggish. My guys didn’t come out aggressive,” said Genwright. “I told them; ‘We need to come out aggressive.’ Upson-Lee, they came out very aggressive. In the second half, we came out. We went to a zone, switched it up a little bit and I told my guys to come out aggressive and just move without the ball. They started moving and started making plays and they just stepped up and finished out the game.”
In the first half, both teams were evenly matched, but the Panthers went into the locker room at halftime leading 27-21. During the third quarter, it was still a close game, with ASHS leading 35-30.
Americus-Sumter guard Jordan Wiley scored 11 points, grabbed two rebounds and dished out one assist in the Panthers win over Upson-Lee.
Photo by Ken Gustafson
However, in the fourth quarter, things began to change. The Panthers took advantage of cold shooting by the Knights and went on a 12-7 run to take a 47-37 lead. During this period of the game, ASHS turned up the defensive pressure and forced UL into committing turnovers. They also dominated the offensive glass and were able to score second-chance points on offensive rebounds. The Knights were not able to make a last minute run to get back in the game and the Panthers went on to win 55-38.
Milique Smith led the Knights in scoring with 13 points.
Americus-Sumter guard Taquan Robinson directs traffic for ASHS. Robinson scored two points in the win over Upson-Lee.
Photo by Ken Gustafson
With the win, ASHS improves its overall record to 2-1 and 2-0 in the Region 2-AAA standings. The Knights fall to 2-2 overall and are now 1-1 in Region 2-AAA play. The Panthers will continue region play when they host Jackson on Friday, December 11, at 7:30 p.m.
