Time-Out: A Thrilling Week in Chattahoochee Valley Hoops Action
Basketball season in the Chattahoochee Valley is hitting its stride, with region play ramping up and teams battling for supremacy
Basketball season in the Chattahoochee Valley is hitting its stride, with region play ramping up and teams battling for supremacy on the court. This week, fans witnessed everything from dominant wins to nail-biting finishes, and the excitement is only growing as we move deeper into the season.
Let’s take a deep dive into the action-packed week and highlight the standout performances that made it one to remember.
The Sumter County Lady Panthers continue to dominate the region with back-to-back victories that showcased their versatility and grit. First, they outclassed the Carver Lady Tigers 76-55 in an emphatic home win. Jesstynie Scott led the charge, earning "Double Coverage Player of the Game" honors with 21 points and lifting her team to a 5-1 region record. The Lady Panthers followed this up with a hard-fought 44-38 road victory over the Spencer Lady Greenwaves, solidifying their place as a regional powerhouse.
Meanwhile, the Carver Lady Tigers bounced back in style. After their loss to Sumter County, they roared back with a decisive 72-40 victory over Shaw. Senior K.K. Cooper was unstoppable, racking up 27 points, while sophomore Armani Moore put on a clinic with 10 rebounds, 10 steals, and 6 points, showcasing her all-around ability.
The Hardaway Lady Hawks faced a challenging schedule but rose to the occasion. After a narrow 60-57 loss to Hoover, they traveled to Atlanta for the M.L.K. Classic, where they delivered a statement win over Marietta High, 67-51. Sophomore Rhianna Boynton was a force to be reckoned with, earning the Hardhat Award for her leadership and standout play.
In Harris County, the Lady Tigers made quick work of Manchester, cruising to a 59-18 win. Senior Ja’Niya Broome, a consistent scorer and leader, surpassed 1,000 career points this season and added to her impressive resume with another strong performance.
The Columbus Lady Blue Devils also made waves this week, securing a crucial 67-10 region win over Kendrick. The team was led by standout performances from Jayla Lockhart, who is averaging 10.4 points per game, and Sydney Foster, who dominates the boards with 7.5 rebounds per game.
Over at St. Anne-Pacelli, the Lady Vikings showed why they are one of the top teams in the region. They picked up commanding wins over Landmark Christian (64-14) and Taylor County (58-47). Freshman Grace Smith continues to shine, delivering a stellar 20-point, 6-rebound, and 6-steal performance against Taylor County. Senior leader McKayla Holley added 13 points, and her season averages of 14.5 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists per game make her a key player to watch as the Lady Vikings improve to 12-2 overall and 3-0 in regional play.
On the Boys’ Side
The St. Anne-Pacelli Vikings remain unstoppable, maintaining their perfect record with two big wins this week. First, they took down crosstown rival Brookstone 78-53, led by sophomore standout Michael Rowe, who lit it up with 20 points and 6 rebounds. Senior Jalen Bush delivered a balanced performance with 9 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. The Vikings followed up with a gritty 68-61 victory over Grovetown in the prestigious CB Hoops M.L.K. Classic. With a 16-0 record, the Vikings are proving to be a team to beat.
The Calvary Christian Knights continued their January dominance, improving to 6-1 this month with an 83-47 blowout win over Chambers Academy. Players of the Game Dylan Hosten and Tyler Freeman led the charge, scoring 17 and 15 points, respectively.
Glenwood’s varsity squad saw the emergence of a rising star in 8th-grader Braylen Alexander. Playing beyond his years, Alexander delivered a clutch layup in the final seconds to lift the Gators to a thrilling 67-65 win over Lee-Scott Academy. With 20 points and 5 assists, Alexander is making waves and helping the Gators improve to 16-5 overall.
The Spencer Greenwaves bounced back this week with two critical regional wins, first dominating Columbus 83-40 and then edging out Sumter County 41-38. Despite falling short against Westlake 86-53, the Greenwaves are holding strong with a 12-5 overall record and a 5-3 mark in region play.
The Central Red Devils continued their Area 4 dominance with a 67-59 win over Auburn High, improving to 25-4 overall and an unblemished 4-0 in region play. The Carver Tigers also impressed, securing a 91-40 win over Shaw and holding off Sumter County in a nail-biter, 60-59. Kobe Caslin led the Tigers, earning "Double Coverage Player of the Game" honors. Caslin’s season averages of 13 points, 3 steals, and 3 assists per game highlight his importance to the team.
Chattahoochee County’s Champ Simpson continues to dazzle, averaging 24.1 points and 7 rebounds per game. His efforts propelled the Panthers to a 66-59 win over Crawford County, improving their region record to 5-3.
What’s Next?
While weather conditions have postponed some of this week’s games, updates will follow soon. In the meantime, mark your calendars for the 2025 Chattahoochee Valley Sports Hall of Fame Induction Banquet on February 15th at 10 a.m. at the Columbus Convention & Trade Center. This prestigious event celebrates the incredible athletes, coaches, and contributors who have left their mark on sports in our region.
That’s all for this week’s edition of Time-Out! Stay tuned as we continue to bring you the latest in local basketball action, and don’t forget to support your teams. Until next time, keep cheering and keep the energy high! 🏀🎉