Early County blasts Terrell County, 78-44

ALBANY – The Early County Bobcats (17-9) punched their tickets to the semi-finals of the Region 1-A tournament and a spot in the state playoffs Wednesday afternoon with a 78-44 win over fourth-seeded Terrell County at Albany State West.The Bobcats will now challenge second-seeded Mitchell County (20-5) Thursday at 5:30.

Early County had advanced to the region quarterfinals with a big 72-24 win over Stewart County Tuesday at ASU West. The Greenwave had a bye for the first two days of the tournament.

The Terrell County Greenwave grabbed an early lead in Thursday’s game when Keavonte hit back-to-back threes from the corner. However, Early County responded when Jabril Lindsey hit back-to-back threes and more. In fact, Lindsey scored 13 consecutive points for the Bobcats in the first quarter to push Early County out front 17-8 at the end of the quarter.

Lindsey and the Bobcats continued to build their lead in the second quarter. Lindsey’s bomb of a three from near the scorer’s table and a three from Javarrien Jones helped the Bobcats stretch the lead to 37-17 at the half. The Greenwave tried to get a rally going in the third when Shaheed Huckaby drilled a three to start the half but each time the Greenwave scored, the Bobcats responded so Terrell County could never close the gap. Later things just got ugly for the Greenwave as the Bobcats continued to pull away..

Lindsey didn’t play any after a collision left him hobbling in the third quarter. He finished with 22 points to lead the Bobcats while Nate Tinson scored 14 and both Jones and Ka’Marion Pugh put in nine each.

Zayveon Lee led the Greenwave with 19 points and Huckaby finished with 15.

Other scores from the Region 1-A tournament at ASU;

Randolph-Clay Girls  59    Stewart Girls 23

Seminole Girls 55 Calhoun Girls 37

Randolph-Clay Boys 52 Seminole Boys 43

Thursday Matchups 2-15-24 Semifinals

4 pm Seminole Girls vs Early Girls (Home)

5:30 pm Randolph-Clay Boys vs Mitchell Boys (Home)

7 pm Randolph-Clay Girls vs Terrell Girls (Home)

8:30 pm Early Boys vs Calhoun Boys (Home)

By Joe Whitfield
Sports EditorJoeWhitfield[email protected]