Radium Springs boys, Merry Acres girls win Monday night games

ALBANY — The Radium Springs boys and Merry Acres girls picked up victories Monday night in Deep South Conference basketball action at Radium Springs Middle School. The Panthers topped the Braves 50-40 in the boys’ game, while the Lady Braves cruised to a 25-11 win in the opener.

The boys’ game featured a high-energy, fast-paced tempo, with both teams trading turnovers early. Despite a sluggish start on the scoreboard, the Panthers closed the first quarter with a flurry, scoring six straight points to take a 14-4 lead into the second.

With Radium Springs head coach Rantavious Gilbert substituting fresh players, the Panthers continued to dominate in the second quarter, capped by Brevin Ball’s buzzer-beating three-pointer to give the Panthers a commanding 27-9 halftime lead.

Merry Acres mounted a spirited second-half comeback behind Caiden Jenkins, who tallied eight points in the third quarter, and Chase Randall, who added five in the fourth. Despite the surge, the early deficit proved too much to overcome. Jherel Gibson led the Panthers with 12 points, while Rodriques Martin and Jor’Dyn Holey chipped in 10 apiece. For the Braves, Jenkins scored a team-high 12 points, Curtis Ware contributed nine, and Randall finished with eight.

In the girls’ game, the Lady Braves overcame an early 8-1 deficit to dominate with stifling half-court defense and efficient scoring. Radium Springs’ Jordan Redding opened with two quick baskets, but Merry Acres clamped down defensively, forcing turnovers and limiting the Lady Panthers’ shot attempts. Led by Amarise Idlett and Janiyah Brown, the Lady Braves went on a 10-0 run to close the first quarter with an 11-8 lead.

Merry Acres tightened their grip in the second half, holding Radium Springs to just three points while steadily building their advantage. Idlett paced the Lady Braves with eight points, while Kennedi Feagan added six. Brown and Lamya Harris each contributed five points. Gloria Parker led the Lady Panthers with seven.

Both teams will look to carry their momentum into their next matchups as the Deep South Conference season continues.

By Joe Whitfield
Sports Editor

By Joe Whitfield
Sports Editor