Lee County basketball dominates Summer Classic with wins over Tift, Dougherty, Westover and Bainbridge

LEESBURG — The Lee County Trojans basketball team dominated the SOWEGA Summer Classic last week, beating Westover, Bainbridge, Tift County and Dougherty in two days of competition.

“We are stressing togetherness on and off the court,” Lee County head coach Kirven Davis said. “That is helping us become an intense, defensive team. Offensively, we are talented across the board, just have to work on chemistry and the willingness to sacrifice for each other.”

The Trojans put on a defensive clinic, dismantling a talented Tift County team, especially in the first half. The Trojans built a 40-9 halftime lead and beat the Blue Devils 64-28. Forced turnovers, steals, blocked shots — Tift County had very few opportunities for open baskets.

The Trojans and Tift County battled last year for region supremacy, but with Tift County in 6A next season and Lee County in 5A, the matchups won’t be region play. Tift County will challenge the leaders of Class 6A next year, but with Thursday’s performance, there is no doubt the Trojans will challenge in Class 5A.

And to end the Summer Classic, the Trojans battled Dougherty — a Final Four team from last season that is loaded again for the coming year — including former Lee County Trojan Braylon Chaney.

Chaney swished three three-pointers in the first half to help Dougherty grab a 33-31 lead at the half, but Lee County opened the second half with a 16-5 run and beat Dougherty 68-46.

“I told the guys after the game not to get down about a 20-point loss right now,” Dougherty Coach Bakari Bryant said. “This is just day seven of us working together. We will get there.”

On Wednesday, the Trojans were challenged by Westover. The Trojans held a slight 28-26 lead at the half and then finished with a 49-41 win.

The Bainbridge Bearcats came from behind to beat Miller County in the second game Wednesday,  then stayed on the floor to face Lee County. The game was close early with the Trojans holding a 21-15 team, but the Trojans blew open the game in the second half. Multiple three-pointers from Braden Moore and Kam Sanders, a couple of fast break slams from Josiah Parker and inside points from Matthew Hardwick and Ousmane Kromah pushed the Trojans to a 60-36 win.

By Joe Whitfield
Sports EditorJoeWhitfield[email protected]
By Joe Whitfield
Sports EditorJoeWhitfield[email protected]