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FIGHTING SQUAWS Brandie Thomas (dark uni
form) fights for points against Dodge County last week.
Perry lost the game.
Perry back in ‘W column with wins over Warner Robins, Dodge
By ALLINE KENT
For the Times-Journal
How sweet it is!
Coach Carl Thomas and his Perry Panthers had a taste of
revenge last week as they handed Warner Robins a resound
ing 78-66 defeat at home.
Perry entered the final matchup of the year against the
Demons with a 9-3 record. Two of their losses have come
against Warner Robins earlier in the season and the other was
against Baldwin County. Both schools are AAAA. Perry is
undefeated in AA region play and ranked fifth in the state.
Warner Robins was ahead for most of the game, however
the biggest lead they had of the evening was only seven
points. The Demons were up 33-31 at the half but as has hap
, pened before, the;Panthers cajne back Jrorjfthe break Tpore
determined than their opponent. ” *
Althought he has expressed concern about depth during
the season, especially against his AAAA opponents. Thomas
was very satisified with the bench performance against the
Demons.
Panther-Dodge County game not for the weak of heart
By ALLINE KENT
For the Times-Journal
EASTMAN lt was definitely not a game for the weak
of heart.
The score went back and forth for most of the game and
neither team ever had more than a six-point lead that seemed
to be answered almost immediately by their opponent. But
in the end, it was the Perry Panthers who prevailed over
rival Dodge County 63-59.
The Panthers, coming off a huge win against cross coun
ty rivals Warner Robins, could have had an emotional edge.
But Head Coach Carl Thomas didn’t seem to think that
made a difference.
“It wouldn’t have mattered if we had lost to Warner
Robins by 40 points the other night, ’’ Thomas said. “This
game against Dodge County is special and we would have
played hard regardless ”
Thomas mentioned that it would be hard to duplicate the
intensity of the AA rivalry between Perry and Dodge~
County. The Indians and the Panthers have been in the same
subregion for six years and have played each other five of
those years for the region title.
Senior Donte Holmes led the Panthers with 20 points,
scoring nine of those in the first half.
“I am extremely proud of Donte,” said Thomas. “He is
playing out of position and his sacrifice for the team is a big
part of our success.”
Michael Robinson was also in the running for the hero of
the evening, coming off the bench and shooting a three
pointer to tie the game with two minutes left to play.
Robinson, a junior who only played sporadically in the sec
ond and fourth quarters, admitted that is was a “hard game
but we came out and kept our heads on straight.”
He said he realized Dodge County was going to give the
Panthers a tough game. “We got pumped up. We wanted it
and we played ball and got it,” Robinson said after the game.
Thomas also mentioned that the game would boost the
confidence of the Panthers who are undefeated in region
play and have six region games left on their schedule.
Dodge County drew the first blood during the game with
a three-pointer but Perry’s Dontarrious Thomas answered
right back with two and set the back and forth pace for the
rest of the evening. Dodge County kept a small lead during
the first with the quarter ending 14-13 Dodge.
The Indians also scored first during the second quarter
but Dannoms Harvey slammed the ball in to close the lead
to one and Donte Holmes scored next for the go-ahead.
Perry went out by four once in the second and ended the
quarter ahead 29-27.
The Panthers took control of the third quarter with
Johnny Watkins scoring first in the period. Holmes hit a
three-pointer and Perry went up by six. the biggest lead any
one had during the evening. Dodge County fought back and
the third came to a close with Peny ahead by only 40-39.
Dodge County had gone ahead with only a few minutes
left in the game before Robinson hit his three-pointer to tie
the game at 55 all. With the game tied at 57, Watkins got
fouled and went to line for two. putting Perry ahead 59-57.
After Dodge County tied the game at 59, Robinson again
made the big play, shooting for one from the foul line to give
the Panthers a 60-59 lead with just 12 seconds left in the
game. The crowd was already murmuring about overtime
when another foul by Dodge County send Donlarrius
Page 5A
Wed., Jan. 13, 1999
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FIGHTING TO WIN Johnny Watkins (12) goes to
the basket for points against Dodge £ounty. The
Panthers won in Eastman.
Two players came off the bench late in the game and made
big plays for the Panthers; Michael Robinson who scored 11
points for the Panthers including 3 pointers and Kris Asbury.
who hit a three-pointer.
They gave us a big lift," said Thomas, speaking of
Robinson and Asbury. “I was very pleased with theii perfor
mance and hope we will carry it on”.
Robinson has started only one game this season but saw
significant playing lime against Warner Robins. Asbury has
started in three games in 1998 and saw playing time last year.
Donlarrius Thomas, who plays inside or out and has been
a key player all season for the Panthers, led the retaliation
against the Demons with 27 points. It was the kind of game,
"•according to Carl Tliptnas, that Dontaftjus Thomas is capable*'
of playingrDannorris Havev had 24 on the evening. "i
--“We arc a pretty balanced team." Carl Thomas said. "We
have four kids that usually score in the doubles and it just
depends on who has the hot hand that night who will lead the
team.”
Thomas to the line to add one more point.
Dodge County had a chance but had a walk called, giv
ing Perry the ball back. Robinson sank two from the line and
made it a four-point game with only seven seconds left.
Carl Thomas was proud of his Panthers, especially for
the fact that the team never panicked. “It would have been
easy for them (to panic) when Dodge County stopped some
things we wanted to do." he said. “They just kept their heads
level.”
Perry travels first to Macon Friday night to take on
Southeast in a region matchup and then over to Fort Valley
for Peach County on Saturday. Both bovs cames will start at
8:30.
Perry (63) Dodge County (59)
Donle Holmes 20 Michoel Robinson 6, Johnny Wotkins 11,
Dontorrius Thomas 10, Dannoorris Harvey 14, Jason Stripling 2
Three pointers Holmes, Robinson Watkins Thomas
Panther wrestlers fourth at Northside
By ALLINE KENT
For the TTmes-Joirvm
Peny wrestlers competed in the Northside
Eagle Classic Tournament this past weekend
and brought home fourth place. Fourteen
schools were on hand for the two-day event.
Coach Scan Moistner referred to the event
as a “good tournament for us."
"Several of our young kids won matches
and I was very happy with the team's perfor
mance.” he said “We just continue to
improve.”
Maurice Hamilton finished third in his class
at 152. The Panthers had four wrestlers partici
pate in the finals, Ernest Howard. Ben Katshor.
Middle School seventh graders rip Feagin Mill, Rumble
By ALLINE KENT
For the Times-Journai.
The seventh grade boys at Perry Middle
School continued to dominate their opponents
as they destroyed both Feagin Mill and Rumble
last week.
Perry scored 60 points to Feagin Mill’s 44
with Jairell Gary leading the way with 16
points on the afternoon
Eighth grade Panthers enter final four with 4-4 record
By ALLINE KENT
F 6» the Times-Jownal .
The eighth grade boys tcaip at Perry Middle
goes into the last four games of the regular sea
son with a (4-4) record. It's a disappointing
record lor a team with so much talent according
to Coach John Warlick. but there's a lot of posi
live in that record ‘The games we have lost, we
have lost hy just three or four points, said Coach
Warlick. “We need to he able to win our close
Lady Panther's fall to Warner Robins
By ALLINE KENT
For the Times-Journal
“It was disappointing, but we have
had a lot of up and down games."
That’s how Lady Panthers head
coach Max Vickers summed up the loss
to Warner Robins 52-41 last week.
The Lady Panthers have lost all
three of their contests against the
Demonettes. In this game, like the other
two. Perry gave Warner Robins a run
-Tor their money at the end but just
..TouldrtT get the gait*.' back.
“We out scored them in the second
half." said Coach Vickers, "but we were
Dodge Squaws pound Perry , 65-36
By ALLINE KENT
For tuf. Times-Journo
EASTMAN The Lady Panthers
fell to Dodge County 65-36 in region
play Friday night in Eastman.
The Dodge County team is ranked
second in the state in Class AA and has
a 11 -1 record.
Perry, overmatched and down 36-15
at the half, got behind and just couldn't
come back during the evening.
The Lady Panthers knew coming
into the game that Dodge County was a
"good team" according to Head Coach
Max Vickers
‘They play defense very well and did
some things that hurt us at our weakest
points,” he said.
Brandic Thomas led the Panthers
with 15 points followed closed behind
Quinton Johnson and Fred Ridley.
How ard, a junior, took first place in the 112-
pound weight class with his 13-4 victory over
senior K. Green from Southwest with a 18-1
record this year. At 119, senior Katshor also
brought first place home to Perry after he
pinned Warner Robins' Matt Lane
Ridley, who wrestles in the 215 class,
defeated senior Ricky Carswell from West
Laurens who entered the match with a 18-5
overall record this year.
Johnson was defeated in his final match but
was awarded the “Best Match" award for his
final match performance. The award is voted on
by the referees from the tournament.
Next on the Panther plate is Cook County
The team was coached last week by James
l-attimorc after an injury has kept Coach Leslie
Belcher home the first week of school after the
Christmas break.
Lattimore referred to the team as a “good
group of athletes and very easy to coach.
“Coach Belcher has done a good job with
fundamentals." he said. “All I am having to do
is keep the pressure on them so they will keep
ones.” Perry had a close one Friday night against
Rumble, when Rumble staged a comeback in the
fourth quarter. “We could have blown it at the
end, said Warlick. “they pressed us and we held
on for the win."
Next up is Tabor, the favorite for the Bth
grade championship. Coach Warlick is confident
that Perry is capable of playing a good game
against them. “We can be right there with the
best of them when we get there to play, he said.
A win against Tabor would mow Perry up in the
Houston Tlmes-Jouml
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MIDDLE SCHOOL Shuntina Davis (5) looks for
points in Perry Middle School action against Feagin
Mill recently.
learning."
Perry (60) Feagin Mill (44)
Harris 2, Howard 1, Cnilds 3, Scott 4, Smith
1, Rosj 2, Lewis 2. Bowens 8, Nofen 4, Gary
16, Rogin 6, Baldwin 8
Perry (48j Rumble (28!
Harris 5, Scott 6, Smith 6, Ross 6 Bowens 8,
Nolen 2, Gory 8, Rogin 2, Baldwin 4
middle school rankings. Right now.
Perry, Bonaire. Rumble and Northside are
wadded up in the middle
Perry |3o| Feogin Mill (47)
Dodson (7} Foirclolh (21Bowman (10) Santos
(2) Smith (5J Tesseniai (2) Thomie (4)
Perry (38) Rumble 36
Hudgens 3. Frye 2, Stripling 6 Draughorne
6, Mover 2. McCarty 2. Whitfield 5, Williams 9.
Hunt 2
so far behind and they |ust didn't get
cold.”
Perry started off slow, according to
Vickers and the Demons “made adjust
ments to our game." Vickers admitted
that he thought the Lady Panthers
“could handle the Demons better, but
with so many jump shooters it was a
hard matchup." he said.
The Panthers were led by Brandic
Thomas with 20 points. Kiki Woodard
had 14. Krystal Brown 6 and Bonnie
added one. / '•'•* K /
Warner Robins led (he match 29-16
al the half
by Krystal Brown with 12. Jessica
Green had lour and Kiki Woodard and
Bonnie Fagan had two each.
Dodge County returned five starters
from last year and Vickers admitted that
the Lady Panthers “just aren't on that
level"
“We have young guards and I knew
we were going to have some trouble." he
said.
Vickers did admit he was very disap
pointed at the way Perry handled the
press.
Perry faces Southeast in their next
game to be played Friday night in
Macon. Vickers said his team is pre
pared for tlieir next challenge.
"We have been workingon some
things and we will he ready for them."
he said Souiheasi has a 5-6 record.
and Fayette County at home Friday night Cook
County is ranked third in the state and this will
be a "big match” according to Moistner. Fayette
County is a AAA A school. Finals will be at 6 at
the Peny High School gym.
The Panthers arc also preparing for the
Perry Invitational Tournament to be held Jan.
29-30 at the high school. Some 18 schools are
expected to compete and the team is in the
process of selling advertisements for their pn>-
grani
For more information on placing an ad or
donating to the team contact Coach Scan
Moistner at the school or Sharon Bicklc at 987-
SI 59.
n
Phil
Clark
Times-iournal
Sports
Good run,
but no title
The Westfield Lady Hornets
have never won a state basket
ball championship, but in the
early 80s. they made a run that is
still unmatched at the school.
Beginning with the 1979-80
team, the Lady Hornets made the
finals three straight years, win
ning a total of 70 games over that
span, but lost all three state
championship games, once to
Southland and twice to
Riverview.
The 1979-80 team was made
up of four sophomore starters,
and that, combined with the fact
the team was just 12-14 the year
before, didn’t conjure up much
enthusiasm for a state title run.
But Percy Hardy’s young team
surprised a lot of folks, and
maybe themselves, when they
won the region championship
and advanced to the finals before
a good Southland team turned
them back 42-28.
That team, and the two that
followed, featured sophomores
Marian Davidson. Dana
Hancock, Pam Woodard and
Terri Grimes, all of whom start
ed for three straight years.
l.ynn Davidson, a senior, was
the other starter on this 20-7
team, with Dawn Daniel, a
junior, getting a lot of playing
lime. Daniel moved into the
starting lineup the following
year after Davidson graduated
The 1980-81 team was even
more impressive, racking up 25
wins against just 5 losses, again
winning the region champi
onship, but again falling short of
a state championship when Ben
Rodgers' Riverview team won
the state title for the first of two
straight times.
With Daniel moving into the
starting lineup, the Lady Hornets
still had but one senior starter,
and two more juniors. Pam Jones
and Kathryn Buice. were also on
the team for the second straight
'ycar.i,; i.
. .Sue’ Messer and Morgan;!
White moved in to replace the
departed Shawnah Nelson,
Debra Kennedy and Lynn
Davidson. Cindy and Gwen
Thames also played, but for just
one year.
The distinguishing thing
about the 1980-81 team, unlike
the team before it, was that
everyone expected a lot. since
four starters were back from a
state runner-up team. The season
started off a little rocky, but by
the Christmas break, all the
wrinkles had been ironed out,
and the Lady Hornets didn't lose
the last half of the season until
the stale championship game
when they lost to Riverview 49
42.
There was a hit of disappoint
ment at not winning the state
championship, but there was also
excitement about coming back
with four starters intact for the
third straight year With
Davidson. Hancock. Grimes and
Woodard still in the starting line
up. the Lady Hornets welcomed
future stars Deena Davidson.
Kim Smallwood. F.llen Mever
and Kay Bloodworth to the team,
.along with W'hite and Messer.
Again, the expectations were
high, and again, the Lady
Hornets didn't disappoint.
But again, the title eluded
them as Riverview won a pulsat
ing 54-50 championship game to
deny the state championship
again. The three-year run of
region championships and staie
championship game appearances
was over, but only temporarily.
After a rebuilding year in
1982-83. the Lady Hornets were
right hack in the title chase the
following year, and produced the
best record in the school’s histo
ry, running off 24 straight wins
before Monroe won the state
championship game 51-46 in
double overtime.
The team finished at 24-1.
This was a team with a new cast
of stars, with Ellen Meyer, Kim
Smallwood. Margaret While and
Deena Davidson teaming with
up and coming stars like Allison
Barry', Wendy Walker. Tamatha
Griffin. Tammy Free and Linda
Peavy.
With the ’rebuilding year’
team of 1982-83 going 18-8. the
Lady Hornets had a five year run
of four region championship,
four stale championship appear
ances. and an overall record of
112-27! That's a pretty good run
by anybody’s standards.