County hoop teams make headlines this season
Harlem High School senior Domonique Brown expected the Bulldogs to contend for a Region 3-AAA title in football, and that's exactly what happened during 2001 - Harlem stood atop the region standings late in the season and eventually settled for third place.
Now Brown is playing basketball with the Dogs, and the success on the court is beyond his wildest dreams.
"I'm really shocked," Brown said after Harlem improved to 5-0 in Region 3-AAA with home wins last week against Jefferson County and Washington County.
Brown (14 points), David Green (14) and Corey Ealy (11) all scored in double figures Monday in a 64-53 win over Jefferson County. Chris Williams scored 18 points Tuesday to lead the Dogs past Washington County 64-60.
Harlem won only four games last season, but the Dogs now are on track to make the state playoffs and could contend for the Region 3-AAA championship.
"I knew we had a good team coming into the season, but I never realized we would be in a position to be number one in the region," Brown said. "We've just got to hold our position."
Columbia County's high school basketball teams all are generating headlines this season.
The Harlem girls beat Jefferson County 36-32 last week. That home win gave the Lady Dogs their fourth victory of the season and their first Region 3-AAA win. Last season the Lady Dogs went 0-22.
The Lakeside Panthers have been playing well and finally broke through last week with a big win at home over Region 3-AAAA foe Glenn Hills. Matt Scott scored 25 points and Matt Josephson had 10 to spark the 58-56 win.
In the private school ranks, Augusta Christian Schools improved to 14-0 after whipping Alleluia 87-51 Tuesday at the Lions Den.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday at Boardman Gymnasium, the Augusta Preparatory Day School Cavaliers nearly knocked off Brentwood School. Sam Nicholson hit a 3-point shot to send the game into overtime, but the Cavs eventually lost 87-80.
Now the county's prep squads will begin the final push toward the postseason.
High school basketball schedule
Tuesday: Harlem at Richmond Academy, 5 p.m; Evans at Riverdale, 6 p.m.; Thomson at Greenbrier, 6 p.m.; Alleluia at Augusta Prep, 6:30 p.m.; Westminster at Augusta Christian, 7 p.m.
Thursday: Greenbrier at Statesboro, TBA.
Friday: Augusta Prep at Pinewood Christian Academy, 6 p.m.; Augusta Christian at John Milledge Academy, 6 p.m.; Harlem at Jefferson County, 7 p.m.; Fayette County at Evans, 7 p.m.; Josey at Lakeside, 7 p.m.; Greenbrier at Burke County, 7 p.m.
Saturday: Lakeside at Harlem, 5 p.m.; Pinewood Christian Academy at Augusta Christian, 5:30 p.m.; Newnan at Evans, 6 p.m.; Augusta Prep at Brentwood, 6 p.m.