Fayette hoops teams sweep Sandy Creek

Fayette County hosted Sandy Creek on Tuesday night. The action between these two teams was intense and the atmosphere in the Fayette gym was electric as the boys and girls of Fayette County swept their rivals from Tyrone.

The girls game was a back and forth affair filled with lead changes and momentum shifts. It was every bit the fight that Lady Tiger head coach John Strickland expected for his team. The undefeated Lady Tigers held a 21-17 edge at the half, but Sandy Creek fought back to tie the game heading into the final quarter. Morgan Toles tied the game for the Lady Patriots with 20 seconds left in the game, but Fayette County was able to make some free throws and rebounds in the final seconds to hang on for the win.

Toles led all scorers with 25 points, while teammate Kafi hemphill added 15. Fayette County was led by Anma Onyeuku’s 18 points, while Sasha Sims added 13 and Tessah Holt chipped in 11.

“We were very poised at the end,” said Strickland, commenting that in close games in the past the team had struggled. “If you want to be champions, you have to dig deep and tonight we knew it would go to the wire and we were able to dig deep.”

The boys game was close through the first quarter, but Fayette County was able to widen their lead before the half and then close it out with a dominating fourth quarter. The Tigers won 78-55 behind 24 points from Noel Johnson, 13 points from Maurice Williams and 12 points from Adam Smith. Sandy Creek was led by Malcolm Jackson, who finished with 26 points, 15 of which came on five, first half three pointers. Emerson Williams added 12 points for Sandy Creek.

Fayette County will play at Douglas County on Friday and Sandy Creek will play at Starr’s Mill.