In this weather-hampered season, depth will play an increased role heading into the region and state tournaments.
No. 1 Columbia showed that it’s plenty deep to make another post-season run in Tuesday’s win at Marist. Playing in their sixth game in six days and missing two starters, the Eagles got key contributions from reserves Keuntay Puckett and Khalil Haynes in a 62-53 win.
Columbia’s starting backcourt of point guard Anthony Rice and shooting guard Bryce Brown have been battling injuries. Brown sat out the Marist game, and Rice played only a few minutes due to back issues.
Columbia will host the Region 6-AAAA tournament.
No. 2 Eagle’s Landing also has turned to its bench to help get through a reshuffled schedule that’s made for a hectic stretch run to the season.
First-year coach Eric Wortham Sr. said sophomores Nick Harper and Antonio Gibson have stepped up to allow starters some rest.
“We didn’t have practice all last week,” said Wortham, whose Eagles have won nine in a row. “We’ve had tough back-to-back games, and had to play some guys who haven’t played a lot.”
Senior big man Jordan Session remains the Eagles’ catalyst, though. Wortham says he’s seen vast improvement in Session from the start of the season.
“Early in the season, we really stayed on him about being strong with the ball,” said Wortham. “’You’re 6-9; Go up and dunk it.’ But he’s really improved in that area this season.’”
Session has committed to Georgia State.
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Strong Finish
No AAAA team is hotter than No. 3 Alexander. The Cougars clinched a spot in the state tournament with Tuesday's win over Sandy Creek. Alexander won at Columbus Tuesday for its 15th straight win. The Cougars will claim the top spot in the Region 5-AAAA tournament with a win Friday against Fayette County.
Coach Jason Slate credits his team’s increased defensive tenacity for the strong season.
“We had a player-led team meeting, and what came out of that was we knew we just weren’t guarding people like we traditionally do,” said Slate. “We were out-scoring some people and winning some games, but we weren’t playing the way that we should. One of the things that we’ve been good at is getting up on a guy, not letting allowing you to do what you want to do. I thought for the first part of the season. I was allowing you to do, what you’re going to do. I thought early in the season I didn’t think we guarded with a purpose. But lately we’ve been guarding people. We talk about defending with energy. If we do that and are sharing the ball, we’re pretty good.”
