@AugBball Updates: Friday-Saturday, Jan 8-9

***Special Sunday note***

Here is a link to "5A Sunday," a post I am updating Sunday and Monday with the biggest 5A sub region stories from the weekend. I'll start on 3A Monday night.

Note: This post became headquarters for weekend hoops in the area. I posted updates all weekend with the help of what I guess to be 70-80 people. Some people kept stats. Others provided commentary. And best of all, the players played well and had fun.

I am going to leave this feed of updates alone until Sunday, when I plan to think, write, and talk hoops. Both what just went down, and what is coming soon!

So stay tuned for stories and videos about the weekend's action leading into Tuesday's games.

9:48 update:

I can't remember the last time Lincoln County beat Aquinas in basketball. Well, I won't say that for a long time, if ever, again because the Red Devils handled the Fighting Irish 71-60 in region competition.

6'4" senior Zach Crite scored 30 to lead the Red Devils. 6'7" junior Ahmad Rand scored 10 points, grabbed 15 rebounds and scared a triple double with 8 blocks. Sophomore Maciah Gunby scored 15.

For the second time this season, coach Wes Wuchte praised the play of Ty Elam and Xavier Gartrell, DB's in the Fall and stoppers in the Winter!

9:20 update:

Morgan County topped Laney 65-63.

More details from Will Avery about Lakeside's 55-52 win over Greenbrier...

Will tells us Lakeside trailed 46-42 in the fourth quarter when freshman Kaylen Williams converted a three point play to cut the deficit to 1. After two free throws by Greenbrier, Williams pass on the ball screen and instead pulled the trigger from "about 26 feet" and buried the three to tie the game. Then after Greenbrier came up short, Williams got fouled attacking the rim and promptly made two free throws to put the Panthers ahead. Lakeside wouldn't trail again.

9:15 update:

Morgan County leads Laney 59-55 with 2:20 remaining in the 4th quarter.

8:51 update:

Lakeside beat Greenbrier 55-52. I've been sharing insight from Will Avery's text updates from this game. See the first two below. The third text, after the final said "Williams was big in the 4th." That's Kaylen Williams of Lakeside.

8:26 update:

I hate I'm missing this. Red hot Greenbrier leads Lakeside 40-38 after three quarters. Here is a copy and past of what Will Avery texted me: "Crawford has been the best player on the court."

... More from Avery on Greenbrier and reasons for their success: "David Harris is the heart and soul of this team."

8:22 update:

Laney trails Morgan County 33-29 at halftime.

Greenbrier's Lady Wolfpack improved to 1-2 in sub region play with a 66-62 overtime win over Lakeside.

7:59 update:

Updates are coming in fast now. Thanks my friends!

Morgan County's Lady Bulldogs beat Laney 72-53.

Lakeside's boys lead Greenbrier 27-24 at halftime.

Glenn Hills beat Butler 56-54. Sophomore Eric Farmer made the game winner. 6'7" sophomore Timmy Sellers scored 22 points and grabbed 13 rebounds

Cross Creek's boys beat Grovetown 58-56.

Morgan County's boys lead Laney 17-14 after one quarter of play.

And Richmond beat Evans 61-39.

7:19 update:

The showdown between two of the area's best teams, Cross Creek and Grovetown, was everything a basketball fan could hope for. Cross Creek finished Grovetown (58-50) by exploiting the mismatch that is always there... Alana Davis, my choice as the area's best player, scored 7 points on three possessions late to seal the win. Davis scored 10 of her game high 23 points in the final quarter, and 16 in the second half after Cross Creek trailed 24-23 at halftime.

Teammate Nya Daniels also made her biggest impact when it mattered most. The smooth lefty scored 10 fourth quarter points (18 total), including 2 threes that were part of a barrage of deep shots in which she made a three, Grovetown's Destiny Marshall answered it, Daniels made another, and KymMya Thomas made a fourth... All early in the fourth quarter as Cross Creek took its first lead of the second half.

7:12 update:

The praise969.com broadcast of the Laney's Lady Wildcats' visit to Mirgan County is going in and out. But the last thing I heard Charles McNeil say is that Morgan County's 55-44 lead is the closest Laney has been for some time. I hope to be able to get more information soon.

7:00 update:

The Lady Knights of Evans topped Richmond 58-54 at home. Richmond beat Evans in a non region matchup over the holidays.

6:53 update:

The Lady Bulldogs of Morgan County lead the defending state champ Laney Wildcats 34-25 at halftime. The matchup features AugBball's Power Poll #1 (Morgan County) and #2 teams. Morgan County won the first matchup 78-69 at Laney.

6:47 update:

Westminster topped region for Bulloch 60-35, improving to 12-0. I said last night Westminster is one of the five red hot teams in the area.

6:38 update:

Alleluia poured in 31 third quarter points and blitzed Covenant 96-70 in a rematch of last season's GICAA title game.

6:11 update:

Cross Creek's Lady Razorbacks just handed Grovetown it's first loss, finishing Saturday's much anticipated matchup with a flurry of threes (2 by Nya Daniels and 1 by KymMya Thomas) and a trio of finishes by the always dominant Alana Davis to finish off the Lady Warriors 58-50.

Davis scored 23 points, Daniels added 18, and Thomas chipped in 10 for the Lady Razorbacks.

Destiny Marshall scored 20 and Ayana Collins added 12 for Grovetown.

5:38 update:

Cross Creek's Lady Razorbacks trail Grovetown 24-23 at halftime. Destiny Marshall and Kwajelin Farrar have been aggressive and have spent much time at the foul line.

Cross Creek's Davis has been very good and Nya Daniels has been downright fantastic.

5:28 update:

USMMA lost to Susquehanna 91-72. Augusta University lost to Lander. Details coming soon.

3:02 update:

USMMA 37, #11 Susquehanna 51 2nd half

USMMA's Matt Miller (GAIS Eagles) picked up three fouls early in the Mariners' game at #11 Susquehanna, causing the junior to sit most of the first half.

Senior David Smith carried the load, scoring 19 of USMMA's first 26 points and keeping his team within a basket until just before halftime.

Here is a link to a special report I did last year featuring Matt Miller and David Smith, USMMA's leading scorers:

http://www.augbball.com/2015/02/matt-millers-scorching-of-nets-looks.html?m=1

12:33 PM (Saturday) update:

Ahead for me is the best basketball day of the year so far! Here is what is on my radar:

Augusta University (7-5, 3-2) vs Lander (7-4, 4-1) - 3:30 PM

Preview

After dropping two conference games before Christmas, the Jags have won 4 straight and improved their record in league play to 3-2.

During the Jags' three Peach Belt Conference wins, three freshman guards haven taken turns having a monster game to help this young team overcome the odds against stiff competition.

Most recently, the Jags earned a tough win at North Georgia when senior Tommy Williams finished at the rim on the team's final possession to give Augusta the 86-85 win. Freshman Tyvez Monroe led 5 Jags in double figures, including Williams (15), Sophomore Tamyrik Fields (14), junior Keshun Sherrill (11), and freshman Deane Williams (10).

Sherrill is NCAA Division II's second leading scorer at 26 ppg.

Here is the link to the live webcast. I'm the color commentator!

http://jaguarsroar.com/information/live-webcasts

USMMA vs #11 Susquehanna (2PM)

Preview:

Matt Miller, my former GAIS Eagle player and the 2015 AugBball Man of the Year, is averaging over 14 points per game. His Mariners recently beat conference favorite Catholic and the team's Landmark Conference record is now 3-3. Matt has scored 29 and 23 points in recent games. Here is the link to watch my favorite player:

http://portal.stretchinternet.com/susquehanna/#live

Soon I'll be updating from today's action. The four best girls teams are in action. So are the Augusta University Jaguars, Thomson and Liberty County in a 4A showdown, and Red hot Greenbrier visits Lakeside.

Another Note: I am doing almost no proofreading. Please forgive and point out errors. I'll clean it up later.

Richmond 81, Lakeside 56

Richmond has now beaten beaten its last five opponents by a total of 129 points! Richmond (2-0) faces Richmond (0-2) in sub region play Saturday.

DT Stephens led the way with 24 points and 5 rebounds. Madison Williams scored 17 points, making 7 of 8 free throws. Jason Weaver scored 12, making 4 of 6 field goals and 4 of 5 free throws. And Moses Williams scored 11 points and grabbed 7 rebounds.

Richmond (girls) 53, Lakeside 47

Jasmine Robinson scored 22 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, and dished out 5 assists. And MaKayla Tanksley scored 14 points and grabbed 6 rebounds.

After trailing 39-34 at the end of three quarters, Robinson and Tanksley attacked the basket for several scores in the beginning of the fourth quarter and took a 47-45 lead with just under four minutes remaining.

Laney 78, Butler 64

Zep Jasper and Christian Keeling scored 33 and 28 points, respectively, as the Wildcats picked up yet another win over a city rival. I've frequently said Jasper and Keeling are having magical seasons.

Jasper scored 33 points Friday against Butler

Friday was no exception. The duo are the area's top scorers. And the top winners.

Westside 51, Josey 43

The Patriots continue to mount wins against the city's best. Friday's win was the second against Josey since right before Christmas. Besides Laney, no team has seriously threatened Westside in the last month.

Westside's Dekwan Lewis scored 16 to lead all scorers. Christian Robinson added 12, and Elijah Brown chipped in 10.

Josey's Donald Jordan led the way with 15 points in defeat.

5:56 AM update:

Cross Creek's Lady Razorbacks improved to 2-0 in region play with a 57-41 win over Evans. KymMya Thomas led with 23, Nya Daniels scored 16, and Alana Davis had 12.

The win sets up today's showdown with undefeated Grovetown as the #3 and #4 teams in the AugBball Power Poll, and the #1 and #2 teams in the 5A sub region, will battle for first place in the standings and for bragging rights.

12:07 update:

Westminster beat Frederica 48-32. Jelani Watson-Gayle scored 17 points and freshman TJ Wright added 11. 

Elsewhere in class GISA, class 3A action, Augusta Prep was not as fortunate. The Cavs dropped a road game 66-26 to league favorite Gatewood.

11:44 update:

Cross Creek improved to 1-1 in region play with a 64-58 win over Evans. The Knights fell to 0-2. Moses Jones scored 22 points, making 4 threes. Colby Taylor added 11.

The Razorbacks host Grovetown (0-2) Saturday.

11:09 update:

I just got my first bits of information from Greenbrier, who beat Grovetown 72-70 to establish a 2-0 sub region record and set up a showdown with Lakeside (1-1) Saturday.

Against Grovetown, Greenbrier made 11 of 12 free throws in the fourth quarter. Jakob Nelson had 20, Justen Hartfield 15, David Harris 11 points and 11 boards, AJ Hawes had 10, and Jerrod Farrell and Richard Crawford both had 8.

Lakeside has beaten Greenbrier six straight times. Saturday's game should be great!

10:51 update:

Elliot Balducci scored 21, Hayden Hebert 18, and Mac McBride 14 in Alleluia's 91-40 win over Nat Greene.

Thomson defeated New Hampstead 84-56. Thomson's record is 1-0 in region play. Stats coming soon. Thomson travels to Liberty County tomorrow.

10:29 update:

Westside's Dekwan Lewis scored 16 to lead all scorers. Christian Robinson added 12, and Elijah Brown chipped in 10.

Josey's Donald Jordan led the way with 15 points in defeat.

10:16 update:

Harold Doby is updating me on Westside's win over Josey, which gives the Eagles sole possession of second place in the region standings.

In a low scoring affair, Westside played its patient style of offense and was able to get gutsy baskets in the paint by Trez Hawes and Justin Phillips down the stretch. And Dekwan Lewis helped seAl the game with several made free throws as Josey fouled late. He's getting us leading scorer information next.

10:09 update:

Richmond leads Lakeside 64-43 with 7:12 remaining. Westside beat Josey 51-43.

Richmond reminded me a lot of Westside tonight. So many guards played well. Madison Williams looked as good tonight as he did against Josey on December 22. DT has played his best basketball of the season. So has Moses Williams. And Rashad Calloway and Nick Roberts have been as steady as always.

Richmond will be difficult to beat in region play. So will Westside.

10:05 update:

Laney leads Butler 76-62 with 1:10 left in the game. The last leading scorer update Charles the Mac Daddy McNeil gave was that Zep Jasper had scored 31 points and Christian Keeling 24.

9:54 update:

Richmond leads Lakeside 39-28 at halftime. Madison Williams and Moses Williams are playing lights out. DT Stephens got loose for a dunk.

Lakeside's newest addition, sophomore Deon Berrien, has tons of potential. Kaylen Williams is playing very conservatively but very well.

Westside leads Josey 48-43 with 24 seconds remaining!

9:44 update:

Laney leads Butler 54-48 with 37 seconds remaining in the third. Zep Jasper has scored 13 third quarter points. He has 27 points. I'm listening to the Mac Daddy Charles McNeil call it on praise969.com.

8:48 update:

Will Avery just reported in that Grovetown's Lady Warriors scored 49 second half points to earn the 66-49 home win over Greenbrier.

8:36 update:

Lady Musketeers guards Jasmine Robinson and MaKayla Tanksley showed why they are the the town's best backcourt, turning a 39-34 deficit at the end of three quarters into a 47-45 advantage with just under four minutes remaining.

8:20 update:

38-32 Grovetown leads Greenbrier with 3:44 left in the third quarter.

8:00 PM ***Special update!***

Will Avery just informed me Power Poll #10 Greenbrier  is within two points (26-24) of the undefeated #3 Grovetown Lady Warriors at halftime. Friend Ashley Brown is broadcasting that game live at 580 AM and 95.1 FM and this iHeart radio link (http://www.iheart.com/live/5792?campid=iphone_share).

Shame on me for not previewing the Grovetown Lady Warriors vs Greenbrier Lady Wolfpack Power Poll, sub region clash. Greenbrier is the defending region champ. Sophomore Yasmine Avery plays hard than any area player, and 6'2" junior Sydney Grayden played impressively against Cross Creek's Alana Davis, the area's leading scorer, In Tuesday's loss.

The Lady Warriors are 16-0 for a reason. Destiny Marshall is an athletic marvel in the open court. Kwajelin Farrar always pursues rebounds and blocks. And Elizabeth Mettress, who is fourth in the area in 3 pointers made, provides space and scoring punch.

Check back to see how this sub region gem ends!

End of special update***

5 PM

I am asking for updates from area basketball games tonight on my Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages. @AugBball is my handle on all three services. Send me updates from your gym! Scores, opinions, pictures, and video clips are all welcome.

I'll update the post throughout the night. Read below to see what game I'm watching, what games other AugBball contributors are watching, and what updates I'm able to share with your help on social media. So update me so I can help update you... and everybody else!

Lakeside (6-7, 1-0) at #5 Richmond (11-4, 1-0)

I will be at Richmond to see the Musketeers live in action against Lakeside. Richmond is 1-0 in 5A sub region competition after stomping Grovetown 69-38 Tuesday. Coach Steve Nobles team has won four straight by a combined total of 104 points!

Key players: Senior Madison Williams (Illinois State signee); Sophomore DT Stephens; Senior Rashad Calloway

The Panthers also won their first sub region contest, topping Evans 66-54 at home behind impressive stat lines from freshman Kaylen Williams (14 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists) and sophomore Deon Berrien (16 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks). Berrien just joined the team, and he has made an instant impact.

Key players: Fr Kaylen Williams (17.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 91% FT, area leading 37 threes); Jr Kre'sean Hall (11.2 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2 spg)

Josey (7-6, 3-0) at #3 Westside (6-2, 1-1)

An AugBball contributor will be at Westside to capture (tape delayed) footage of the 3A region's most pivotal contest. The red hot Patriots aim to defend their home court and keep from falling behind region leader Laney.

Key players: Sr Trez Hawes; Jr Christian Robinson; Jr Justin Phillips; Sr Dekwan Lewis

Josey is on its own roll and has its own designs on its place at the top of the 3A region's standings. The Eagles are due a difficult win in a difficult environment. Which Westside's gym will most certainly be.

Key players: Sr Donald Jordan (20 ppg, 4 rpg, 3 spg); Jr Javen Whitehead (9 ppg, 8 rpg, 3 bpg); Jr Domonique Hurst (9 ppg, 5 rpg, 2 bpg); Jonathan Butler (11 ppg, 3 rpg)

Augusta Prep (7-2, 0-0) at Gatewood (5-1, 0-0)

I expect six heated games in GISA's class AAA region matchups including Augusta Prep, Gatewood, and Westminster. The first of these meetings is tonight. And I have called on a special AugBball contributor to help me chronicle the action. Gatewood is the defending region champ and last season's state playoff runner-up. Over the next few weeks, Augusta Prep and Westminster, bitter rivals, will take turns beating up each other and trying to unseat the favorite Gatewood as the king of the region's hill.

#1 Laney (13-0, 3-0) at Butler (6-4, 1-2)

Laney has raced past the regular season's halfway point, remaining unbeaten behind the nearly heroic efforts of its dynamic backcourt duo, Christian Keeling and Zep Jasper. The Wildcats have come from behind to win after trailing by 13 or more points in the second half three times this season. But the most promising sign I've seen from this group was its stingy defensive performance and extraordinary effort during the team's recent win over Thomson.

Butler is struggling. The Bulldogs have recently lost twice to Westside by 19 and 27 points, respectively.

Key players: Christian Keeling (Laney, 25 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2 apg); Zep Jasper (Laney, 21 ppg, 5.5 apg, 5 rpg); Sr Jzwa Collier (Butler); Jr Will Lambert (Butler)

#7 Greenbrier (9-6, 1-0) at Grovetown (8-5, 0-1)

Greenbrier looked poised to excel in 5A sub region competition in Tuesday's 59-54 win over #10 Cross Creek. Four players scored in double figures. Justen Hartfield led all scorers with 18 points. Freshman Richard Crawford added 19, and junior David Harris tallied 9 assists.

The Wolfpack were patient and disciplined on offense and look unlikely to beat themselves. Grovetown will need to limit turnovers and take high percentage shots to earn its first sub region win over the Wolfpack.

Key players: Justen Hartfield (Greenbrier, 14.5 ppg); Jakob Nelson (10 ppg, 31 threes); Shamar Barrett (Grovetown 17 ppg, 5 rpg, 4 apg); Eric Graham (Grovetown 14 ppg, 30 threes)