GREENE COUNTY
Greene County added to its win total with a slim 70-69 victory on Dec. 19 over rival Hancock Central.
The Tigers (6-3, 4-0 Region 8 Division II) held off a late surge by the Bulldogs (1-6) to capture their sixth-straight win after a slow start in the opening two periods had them trailing at the break.
“Traditionally, for us, and this is especially true the last couple of games, but we’ve always seemed to start slow,” Greene County head coach Mark Wright said. “Something happens (for us) in the third quarter when guys wake up and make adjustments at halftime. They decide to turn it on.
“So, we’re trying to figure out how to start quicker so we don’t have to play from behind. It seems to be working for us, but I don’t like it. I need for us to play all 32 minutes next time.”
Hancock led Greene 39-34 at the intermission after Bulldogs Josiah Ingram and Jace Glover combined for 21 points.
“We didn’t panic, though. We were relaxed throughout the game,” Wright said. “We need to be patient in our offense and aggressive in our defense to succeed.”
The Tigers turned it on during the third quarter, leading 52-46 going into the fourth. Laryous Burt, Qua Burdette, Braylen Hurt, and Khalil Dorsey each contributed in big ways during the second half for Greene. Hurt, Dorsey, and Burdette all came off the bench to help in the win.
“We made some adjustments because we knew (Hancock) wasn’t that deep and we feel like we can throw in a lot of young, fast guys at them,” Wright said. “That got them uncomfortable, and they weren’t able to run their regular sets or plays.”
Greene built up a large lead, but Hancock didn’t give up down the stretch. Ingram and Dontrel Gable kept the Bulldogs in close contention but couldn’t stop the Tigers on the other end.
Burt, the Tigers’ leading scorer, totaled a team-high 19 points, with nine coming in the final two quarters. Hurt also contributed 11 points, followed by Dorsey with eight points in last Tuesday’s win.
“Khalil (Dorsey) is a freshman. He brings a lot to the table. He’s got a high (basketball) IQ,” Wright said. “He played a little bit to speed the game up some on offense. Also, Braylen Hurt played some valuable minutes. He’s a wiry kid who finishes around the basket and anticipates very well on defense. He can also finish around the basket, pass the ball well, and shoot it well for us.”
According to Wright, Burt is stepping up this year as a dominant figure inside the paint for the Tigers.
“He was a second-team All-Region selection last season, but he wants more this year,” Wright said. “I told him that sometimes the most boring thing to do yields the biggest result. Sometimes you’re down low banging (around) with guys and get hit, but the refs don’t always call it. You’ve got to play through it and then when it’s called, knock down your free throws.
“He had 19 points tonight and 12 (rebounds). I told him the highest percentage of baskets are around that area and he works on that during practice. He gets in extra time and works on his game. It has paid off.”
Greene will compete in the Wimberly Classic held at Lamar County this week. The Tigers will face the Jackson Red Devils (0-10) on Dec. 28 for a 5:30 p.m. tip-off on a neutral county.
Greene will face Trinity Prep in Loganville on Jan. 5 at 6 p.m. before resuming region play on the road against rival Lake Oconee Academy the next day. The Tigers and Titans will tip off at 5:30 p.m.