Columbia Middle topples Grovetown; Chambers pours in 33

After Grovetown toppled Columbia on opening day and both teams sailed through the next six games without a blemish, I can imagine the good feelings Columbia's Christian Chambers must have after he scored 33 points to lead his Raiders to a 57-46 win over the Patriots in Thursday's highly anticipated rematch.

Two of the area's best eighth graders: Chambers scored 33
Thursday to eve the score after Williams'sopening day game winner.

He has many reasons to be happy. His Raiders avenged their only loss, one that must have stung, especially after he played so well, scoring 20 of Columbia's 33 points that game. He and his teammates got their revenge in front of a packed gym. The support from students, faculty, and parents, most wearing special "White Out" shirts made for the big game, had to be a unique experience for Chambers. As good as he is, I doubt he's played in front of a crowd like that before Thursday.

Then there is the simple math of Chambers's scoring explosion. 33 points in 24 minutes. Wow! I believe I've seen a good sampling of the best middle school teams in our area, and I can't think of another player in town who could put up those numbers in that time period in a game with this much attention.

Like I said, Chambers must be feeling very good right now. He should be.

I don't mean to imply Chambers was the only player who turned in an impressive performance Thursday. A game like this is highly anticipated because it includes good players.

Most of Columbia's students, faculty, and parents
wore special "White Out" T-shirts at Thursday's game.

Grovetown's Chris Williams scored 14 points and seemed unstoppable when his teammates found him. And his seventh grade teammate Rickey McGhee scored 21, mostly attacking the basket in the open court. This duo has led the Patriots all season, and they and their teammates have no reason to hang their heads.

When a guy scores 33 points in 24 minutes, he has earned his win. And all the good feelings that come with it.