Swainsboro High School hosted the first round of the Class A State basketball playoffs last week. The tournament began on Tuesday, February 21, with a boys and girls doubleheader. In the first game, the SHS lady Tigers defeated Brooks County 57-21.
The leading scorers for the Tigers were SHS Junior Taynia Williams with 18 points. Senior Jamia Smith scored 10, Junior Hannah Howard contributed nine points, Sophomore Tonia Ricks added six points, Junior DeZaria Jordan also had six points and Senior Serah Kelly had four points.
With the win, the Tigers advanced to the second round to play Temple High School.
In the night's second game, the Tiger boys team played Bacon County. The Tigers won the game by a convincing score. The final score was Swainsboro 87 and Bacon County 33. Leading the scoring for the Tigers were Freshman LJ Morgan, Sophomore Carmelo Lewis- and Senior Dorien Foots
With the win the Tigers advanced to the second round to play Savannah High.
The second-round games were also played at SHS gym. On Friday, the lady Tigers hosted Temple High School. The lady Tigers used a relentless defense to force Temple into numerous turnovers. Despite the tough defense, Temple’s Mekenna Nix had a hard earned 25 points. For the Lady Tigers, Serah Kelly had a big scoring 2nd quarter with 10 points. Taniya Williams came out with a big 3rd quarter scoring 10 points. The final score was Swainsboro 63, Temple 52. The game’s leading scorers for the Tigers were Serah Kelly, 23 points. Taniya William scored 16 points, and Hannah Howard added another 11 points.
Temple was led in scoring by McKenna Nix with 25 points and Howell added another 11 points.
Swainsboro Lady Tigers advances to the 3rd round of the playoffs and will play Elbert County on Tuesday, Feb 28th, at 6 pm. A GHSA coin toss determined the game would be played at Elberton. Both teams are the #1 seeds.
On Saturday, the Tigers men’s team took on Savannah High. It was a very tough game, but the Tigers pulled out the victory. The final score was Swainsboro 58 and Savannah High 54. Carmelo Lewis leads Swainsboro with 20 points, 12 in the 3rd quarter. Jakari Nobles had 10, Demello Jones contributed 8, Ty Adams added 7, Dorien Foots and LJ Morgan had 6 each.
Savannah High’s scoring leaders were Sophomore #1 Maki Joyner 19 points, but only 2 came in the decisive 4th quarter. Howard 11 points and Edwards were the other high scorers for Temple.8 points.
With the win the Tigers advance to the third round Elite 8 to play Athens Christian Academy.
Both teams are the #1 seeds. The GHSA coin toss went in Athens Christian favor. The game will be played at Athens Christian Academy.
This year is the first time SHS basketball teams have made the elite 8 in the same year (1970- present). From 1970-2000 there were only four rounds and 16 teams in the state playoffs. After 2000 it expanded to 5 rounds with 32 teams.
