Time-Out: A Holiday Showcase of Athletic Brilliance

The holidays may be a time for rest, but on the courts and mats of Muscogee County, athletes are in full stride! The annual Muscogee County Christmas Showcase at CSU’s Lumpkin Center brought the heat this past weekend, offering fans a mix of thrilling basketball matchups, kicking things off was an unforgettable clash between the (5-1) Pacelli Lady Vikings and the (6-4) Hardaway Lady Hawks.

Hardaway surged to an early 17-2 lead, thanks to senior stars Adazha Burrell and Akilah Shelton. But basketball is a game of momentum, and Pacelli turned the tide in dramatic fashion. Senior McKayla Hosley powered through Hardaway’s defense, while freshman Grace Smith made her presence known, spearheading a late-game rally. Smith’s coast-to-coast drive in the final seconds sealed the deal, lifting Pacelli to a stunning 46-44 win. Smith filled the stat sheet with 19 points, 9 rebounds, four steals, and three assists, while Hosley tallied 18 points, eight rebounds, and five blocks.

Over on the boys’ side, the Kendrick Cherokees extended their red-hot win streak to 9, narrowly defeating Creekside 64-60. Sophomore guard Noah Harris continues to lead the charge with 15.7 points per game, while senior Cash Elder adds consistent production, averaging 12 points and seven rebounds. With an 11-1 record and a firm hold on the 2A Region top spot, Kendrick looks poised to make a deep postseason run.

The showcase wasn’t just about headliners. Shaw’s Lady Raiders faced a tough outing against Campbell, falling 66-22, while the Northside girls fell 45-35 to Russell County. On the boys' side, Shaw edged past Russell County 49-46, and Hardaway stumbled against Douglas County, 58-37. With a packed slate of holiday matchups still ahead, fans can look forward to even more exciting basketball action:

Girls Basketball:

• Jan 3, 3 p.m.: Carver at Buford
• Jan 3, 6 p.m.: Sumter Co at Spencer
• Jan 3, 6 p.m.: Northside at Mundy’s Mill
• Jan 4, 1 p.m.: Carver at Fairburn

Boys Basketball:

• Jan 3, 7:30 p.m.: Sumter Co at Spencer
• Jan 3, 7:30 p.m. Northside at Mundy’s Mill

Moving on to the wrestling mat, Muscogee County Middle School wrestling showcased its exceptional talent at the inaugural Panther Christmas Bash, held on December 21 at Americus Sumter. Competing in a high-stakes round-robin tournament, the team emerged victorious with a commanding total of 393 points and a perfect 5-0 record. The squad secured wins against Sumter County (57-52), Peach County (84-21), Crawford County (100-12), Lee County (59-58), and Cairo (93-6).

Outstanding individual performances played a pivotal role in the team’s success. Shreyasi Mahurkar and Aubreigh Chavez delivered clutch wins in their respective weight classes, while Kaleb Watts dominated with an unblemished 8-0 record. Other standout wrestlers included Serena Trujillo, who went 6-0, and Alexander Hernandez, who remained undefeated at 4-0.

The momentum continued at the high school level, where Columbus High sent its varsity, JV, and girls' teams to the Allstars Wildcat Invitational. The varsity team claimed 1st place overall, supported by stellar individual performances. Anthony Gaines-Shavers, Cedric Montgomery, Carter Dixon, Ryan Miller, Ethan Secoy, and Noah Oliver all secured first-place finishes. Additional podium placements went to Gabriel Jacobus (third), Eoin Johnston (second), and Kahlen Mason (second), among others.

The Lady Vikings also added to the hardware haul at the Alexander Invitational, with all four competitors placing. Notable achievements included freshman Jackie Ringrose (seventh), Jameson McWilliams (fourth), Grace Rogers (third), and Sophia Chervenak, who earned an impressive second-place finish.

From unforgettable performances to a packed holiday schedule, Tri-City sports are the gift that keeps on giving.

As we cheer into 2025, one thing is certain: the best is yet to come. Stay tuned for updates, because the game is always on in the Tri-City area!