Sweeps in rivalry games

This past weekend gave local basketball fans a chance to revisit what is one of the great rivalries in Fayette County high school athletics.

In recent years, games between Fayette County and McIntosh on the hardwood haven’t always been the best, but the athleticism displayed last weekend certainly restoked the flames of this series.

McIntosh’s Lady Chiefs (13-9, 5-4 region) jumped out to an early lead on the top ranked Fayette County Lady Tigers (19-3, 9-0 region) and held an 11 point lead at the half. Fayette County surged back late in the third quarter to take a two point lead. It was then that the the state runner-up in Class AAAA found that extra gear and put their opponents away. The Lady Tigers went on a 16-0 run to start the final quarter and won 48-36.

“I challeneged them at the half,” said Fayette County head coach John Strickland. “I knew they would do it. McIntosh is a good team but I told my girls we would just have to weather the storm and keep fighting.”

Anma Onyeuku led the Lady Tigers with 16 points, while Elem Ibiam added 13 points and 10 rebounds and Sasha Sims had 10 points.Gabby Seiler led McIntosh with 14 points.

The boys game also had McIntosh in the lead for most of the way before Fayette County found a way to escape with the win. The Chiefs (12-9, 5-4 region) started with an 11-0 run and led at the end of the first three quarters. With just under 1:30 to go, Fayette County went up by three. McIntosh’s Preston Hodges hit a three to tie it but the Tigers were able to build a four point lead with 24 seconds left. Josh Ball hit a three to cut the lead to one but Anthony Harper hit two huge free throws for Fayette County (18-3, 8-1 region) and sealed the win.

Adam Smith led Fayette County with 21 points, while Ekene Anachebe added 14 points, 11 blocks and 17 rebounds and Larry Erves and Maurice Williams both chipped in 11 points. Erves added 15 rebounds and Williams contributed 10. Ball and Hodges both had 18 for McIntosh and Chris Longoria added 10.

Fayette County hosted Whitewater last night and will play at Mays on Friday and will host Douglas County next Tuesday to end the regular season. McIntosh played at Starr’s Mill last night and will end their regular season with a home game against Northgate on Friday.

In another rivalry game on Friday, Our Lady of Mercy’s girls defeated Landmark Christian 46-24. Maya Osborn’s 14 points paced the Lady Bobcats while Sarah Mathis led Landmark with 11. Mercy’s defense held the Lady War Eagle’s offense to single digit points in each quarter. Our Lady of Mercy’s boys completed the sweep, beating Landmark 56-54. Mercy ends their regular season with a home game on Friday against Atlanta International and a game at Whitefield Academy next Tuesday.

Landmark’s girls lost to Atlanta International the following night 48-31. The Lady War Eagles were outscored 14-2 to start the match. They cut the lead to three at the half but trailed by 14 heading into the final quarter. Santrica Hight led Landmark with 15 points. The Landmark boys also lost to AIS on Saturday, falling 40-37. Landmark closes out the regular season at SACA on Friday, at home against Mohammed on Saturday and at home against Pace Academy on Tuesday.

Sandy Creek’s boys (13-7, 6-2 region) picked up a win on Saturday, handing Dutchtown a 58-53 loss. Emerson Williams led the Patriots with 15 points, while Marques McGill added 11 and Dominique Lindsey and Sean Rowe each added seven. The Lady Patriots (8-13, 5-3 region) lost to Dutchtown 57-51. It was the second time this year that an opponent scored her 1,000th career point in a game against Sandy Creek. Fayette County’s Anma Onyeuku did it in the season opener and Dutchtown’s Brittney Strickland did it on Saturday. Sandy Creek hosted Douglas County last night and will end the regular season with a home game against Banneker on Friday.

Whitewater’s boys (6-15, 1-8 region) met Tri-Cities on Friday and lost 51-50. The Wildcats trailed the Bulldogs through the first half and cut the lead to one point heading into the final quarter. Whitewater took their first lead late in the fourth quarter but couldn’t hang on in the final seconds. Jamally Prosper led the Wildcats with 16 points, while Patrick Dugger added 15.

The Whitewater girls (9-12, 2-7 region) lost to Tri-Cities 54-39. The Lady Wildcats started strong behind an 8-0 run from Mikayla Stewart to start the game, but Tri-Cities took the lead in the second quarter and never relinquished it. Top scorers for Whitewater were Stewart and Iyana Dugger each with eight points.
Whitewater, at Fayette County last night, will end the season with a home against Starr’s Mill on Friday and some afternoon games at home against East Coweta on Saturday.

Starr’s Mill’s boys (12-8, 5-4 region) defeated Northgate on Friday 63-25. The Panthers built a comfortable lead by the half and cruised to a victory. Justin Smith had nine points in the win. The Lady Panthers (3-14, 0-7 region) lost to Northgate’s Lady Vikings 63-31. Starr’s Mill wraps up their regular season at Sandy Creek on Saturday afternoon.

Whitewater student Kennington Smith assisted with this story.