Sports
Girls Hoops: Dawson County reloading
It looks like the Dawson County girls have simply reloaded.
The Tigers wo
n their first 29 games a year ago before losing in the Class AAA quarterfinals by eventual state champion Laney. Despite losing three starters, including two of their three main scorers,coach Steve Sweat’s team is off to a 6-0 start.
Dawson Tiger
Sound familiar?
Sweat, who retired as assistant principal at the school but remains as basketball coach, said this year’s team has better overall speed, has several players capable of playing multiple positions and has the capability of throwing different looks at the opposition.
“The kids are doing what needs to be done to win,” Sweat asid.
The team is led by senior Karlie Bearden, who averages 17 points and has stepped up to take on a leadership role. Bearden moves well enough to play all five positions on the floor, but is primarily a wing who has made a lot of big shots.
The other starter returning is point guard Haley Burgess. She has developed into a good floor leader and handles the ball well. Burgess, the daughter of boys basketball coach Thad Burgess, is an excellent 3-point shooter.
The other starters are freshman Kaylee Sticker, who averages 14 points, post player Katelynn Simpson, who averages 9.4, and wing Peytan Porter, a part-time starter last year.
The Tigers have a solid bench. Eliza Sillesky returns to the team after choosing not to play a year ago, and is a contributor inside. Guard Ansley Costley and point guard Erin Chatham also provide some good minutes.
The depth and versatility allows the Tigers to play the aggressive style that Sweat has pushed during his 33 year career.
“Defensively we’ve been able to put pressure and steal the ball and score that way,” Sweat said. “I’ve always thought that in girls basketball, if you can press, you’ll have a chance to win.”
Dawson County plays again on Tuesday night at Banks County, another contest in the tought Region 7-AAA lineup. The Tigers won the region opener last week by beating East Hall in double overtime, a game they never led until the second extra period.
They’ll compete in the Pacelli Invitational this weekend in Columbus and will play in the George Walton Academy’s Bulldog Holiday Classic on Dec. 28-30.
