Albany Herald

Westover’s Alysia Potts takes a shot against Lee County’s Daquenna Moore in a game earlier this season.

ALBANY — Talk about enjoying the holiday break.

No one will enjoy it more than the Westover Lady Patriots, who had to play a tough 10-game schedule in December.

Westover started the season at No. 1 in the Herald Fab 5 poll, and is still there after going a perfect 10-0 and knocking off city rival and No. 2-ranked Dougherty, 45-42, on Friday night at Westover.

Those two teams may play three times this season, but Westover took the first test and then turned right around and beat rival Albany High, 46-31, on Saturday to complete the 10-game run.

“After playing 10 games, we’re going to enjoy the break,’’ said Westover coach Lewis Smith, whose team won’t play again until Jan. 3 when the Lady Patriots travel to Cairo for a Region 1-AAA game.

Herald Super 6er DyTiesha Dunson has led the way for Westover, which is already 2-0 in region play with wins against Worth County and Dougherty last week.

The Lady Patriots are also ranked No. 8 in the coaches Class AAA state poll.

Dougherty stayed at No. 2, but Americus-Sumter moved up one spot after beating Monroe, which was ranked No. 3, 53-46. The Lady Panthers are unbeaten at 6-0 after winning three games last week.

Pelham, which has won six in a row since losing to Class AAAAA Tift County in the season opener, moves to No. 4 in the poll. The Lady Hornets have the surprise player of the year in freshman Briunna Freeman.

Lee County moves into the No. 5 spot as Monroe dropped out of the poll after losing twice last week.

FAB 5 POLL

BOYS

1.) Monroe 3-0

After waiting three weeks, Monroe beat Americus-Sumter by 30, edged Crisp County, 43-39, and held off Terrell County, 49-40. Enough said. Next: vs. Colquitt County, today, 7:30 p.m.

2.)Albany 3-0

Tim Pierce is a scoring machine, and the Indians looked like a playoff team in their 66-57 victory against No. 3 Westover on Saturday. Next: at Mitchell County, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

3.) Westover 5-3

Two of the three losses have been to No. 2 Albany, and the Patriots had a big 67-51 win against Dougherty last week. Next: vs. Southeast Bulloch at Albany High in U Save It, Saturday, 4 p.m.

4.) Bainbridge 3-2

The Bearcats slip to No. 4 after losing, 47-42, in OT to Thomasville, a week after Westover beat Thomasville. Next: vs. TBD in Ga./Fla. Shootout, Friday, TBD.

5.) Early County......................................................................................5-0

The Bobcats are still unbeaten and haven’t had a close game. They ripped Baker County, 78-13, on Saturday. Next: vs. Calhoun County, today, 7:30 p.m.

GIRLS

1.) Westover .....10-0

The Lady Patriots won three more games last week, including a big 45-42 win against No. 2 Dougherty to stay perfect for 2011. Next: at Cairo, Jan. 3, 6 p.m.

2.) Dougherty ......................................................4-1

The Lady Trojans probably should be ranked 1A after battling Westover in a tough loss last week. Next: vs. East Macon at Westside Macon Great Southern Shootout, Saturday, 4 p.m.

3.) Americus-Sumter.....................................................6-0 The Lady Panthers move up one notch after knocking off previously No. 3-ranked Monroe, 53-46. They also beat Cairo, 50-43 and Marion County, 53-49. Next: at Terrell County, Friday, 6 p.m.

4.) Pelham......................................................................6-1

The Lady Hornets have won six in a row since losing their opener to Class AAAAA Tift County, and have discovered freshman star Briunna Freeman along the way. Next: at Webster County, today, 6 p.m.

5.) Lee County.............................................................3-3

They bounced back from a close loss to No. 1 Westover and won twice last week, beating Worth County and Seminole County to enter the Fab 5. Next: at Turner County, today, 6 p.m.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“He’s tough. I love the way he plays...This is (his senior year) and I will love him a lot more when he’s gone.’’

Dallis Smith,

Westover boys basketball coach on Albany High’s Tim Pierce, who scored 32 points to help Albany High beat Westover, 66-57, on Saturday

By The Numbers

28

Number of points Albany High’s Tim Pierce, a Herald Super 6er, is averaging per game after just three games this year. Pierce scored a career-high 32 points in a 66-57 victory against Westover on Saturday night.

38

The number of points teams are averaging against Monroe’s Tornadoes, who haven’t given up more than 40 points in any of their first three games this season.

Games of the Week

Tonight:

Colquitt County at Monroe, 6, & 7:30 p.m.

Randolph-Clay at Miller County, 6 & 7:30 p.m.

Calhoun County at Early County, 6 & 7:30 p.m.

Friday:

Albany High at Mitchell County, 6 & 7:30 p.m.

Saturday:

Westover boys vs. SE Bulloch, 4 p.m. @ U Save It at Albany High

Dougherty boys vs. Stateboro, 5:30 p.m. @ U Save It at Albany High

Monroe boys vs. Mitchell Count, 7 p.m. @ U Save It at Albany High

Albany High boys vs. Terrell County, 8:30 p.m. @ U Save It at Albany High.

THIS WEEK'S AREA SCHEDULE

Today

6 p.m.

Colquitt County girls at Monroe

Randolph-Clay girls at Miller County

Quitman County girls at Seminole County

Lee County girls at Turner County

Miller County girls at Randolph-Clay

Calhoun County girls at Early County

Pelham girls at Webster County

Worth County girls at Berrien

Baker County girls at Stewart County

6:30 p.m.

Westwood girls at Fullington Academy

7:30 p.m.

Colquitt County boys at Monroe

Randolph-Clay boys at Miller County

Quitman County boys at Seminole County

Lee County boys at Turner County

Miller County boys at Randolph-Clay

Calhoun County boys at Early County

Pelham boys at Webster County

Worth County boys at Berrien

Baker County boys at Stewart County

8 p.m.

Westwood boys at Fullington Academy

Friday

6 p.m.

Albany High girls at Mitchell County

Early County girls at Berrien County

Americus-Sumter girls at Terrell County

Grace girls at SGA

6:30 p.m.

Southland girls at Tattnall

7 p.m.

Turner County girls at Crisp County

7:30 p.m.

Albany High boys at Mitchell County

Early County boys at Berrien County

Americus-Sumter boys at Terrell County

Grace Boys at SGA

8 p.m.

Southland boys at Tattnall

8:30 p.m.

Turner County boys at Crisp County

TIMES TO BE DETERMINED

Miller County boys in Georgia/Florida Shootout at Bainbridge vs. TBD

Deerfield boys & girls at Coaches vs. Cancer Tournament at Robert Toombs vs. TBD

Westwood boys & girls at Coaches vs. Cancer Tournament at Robert Toombs vs. TBD

Seminole County boys & girls at Maclay Holiday Hoops Tournament vs. TBD

Terrell Academy boys & girls at Coaches vs. Cancer Tournament at Robert Toombs vs. TBD

Bainbridge boys hosting Georgia/Florida Shootout vs. Malone, Fla.

Saturday

12:30 p.m.

Sherwood girls at North Florida Christian

2 p.m.

Sherwood boys at North Florida Christian

4 p.m.

Westover boys vs. SE Bulloch in U Save It Pharmacy Boys Basketball Tournament at Albany High

Dougherty girls vs. Eastside Macon at Westside Macon in Great Southern Shootout

5:30 p.m.

Dougherty boys vs. Statesboro in U Save It Pharmacy Boys Basketball Tournament at Albany High

6 p.m.

Worth County girls at Baker County

Americus-Sumter girls at Tift County

6:30 p.m.

Westfield girls at Crisp Academy

7 p.m.

Monroe boys vs. Mitchell County in U Save It Pharmacy Boys Basketball Tournament at Albany High

7:30 p.m.

Worth County boys at Baker County

Americus-Sumter boys at Tift County

8 p.m.

Westfield boys at Crisp Academy

8:30 p.m.

Albany boys vs. Terrell County in U Save It Pharmacy Boys Basketball Tournament at Albany High

TIMES TO BE DETERMINED

Miller County boys in Georgia/Florida Shootout at Bainbridge vs. TBD

Bainbridge boys hosting Georgia/Florida Shootout vs. TBD

Deerfield boys & girls at Coaches vs. Cancer Tournament at Robert Toombs vs. TBD

Westwood boys & girls at Coaches vs. Cancer Tournament at Robert Toombs vs. TBD

Seminole County boys & girls at Maclay Holiday Hoops Tournament vs. TBD

Terrell Academy boys & girls at Coaches vs. Cancer Tournament at Robert Toombs vs. TBD

Randolph-Clay boys at Valdosta High Holiday Tournament vs. TBD