Schools take over tourney

After the first day of the Columbia County Christmas Tournament, Greenbrier and tournament host Evans came out the clear winners.

Both schools swept the girls and boys games and would play in Monday night's championship games.

Greenbrier kicked off the day's festivities by beating Harlem, 55-34, in a sloppy game.

The Lady Wolfpack (8-1) had trouble early containing April Woodard, who scored 15 to lead the Lady Bulldogs.

Greenbrier was led by Tiffany Blackburn, who made six 3-pointers for 18 points, and Melissa Lewis, who added 19 points.

"I think we were just sloppy because of finals and not having played in a week," Greenbrier girls coach Garrett Black said. "But give Harlem credit. They are as good as any team in the county."

The Wolfpack boys team followed the girls performance, edging Harlem 58-57.

Harlem had a chance to tie the game at 58 all with five seconds left. Andre McCladdie, who had 13 points, decided to take a quick layup, but the Bulldogs didn't have any time-outs and the clock ran out.

Reggie Rice led Greenbrier with 14 points, while DeMarcus Morris scored 16 for Harlem.

The Evans girls team jumped out to a quick lead on a Cayla Hale jumpshot to start the game and never looked back, beating Lakeside 55-42.

The Lady Knights (2-5) took a 14-7 advantage after the first quarter, and the Lady Panthers could never really recover.

Senior Bekah Gibbs had her best game of the season, making three 3-pointers and scoring 14 to lead Evans, which has won two of its past three games.

In the nightcap, Evans pulled away from Lakeside with a strong fourth quarter to knock off the Panthers 60-43.

Lakeside (1-7) trailed Evans by five points after three quarters, staying close because of the strong game of Earl McCrommon, who led the Panthers with 15 points.

Evans (5-5) pulled away with a big fourth quarter in which they outscored the Panthers 18-6.

Hank McCladdie led the Knights with 23 points, converting on a number of three-point plays where he was fouled making a shot and then sank the free throw.

In Monday's final round, the Lakeside girls will play Harlem, which they beat 40-21 earlier this season.

The boys game featuring Lakeside and Harlem will follow. Harlem beat Lakeside earlier this season, 62-59.

Greenbrier and Evans will play in the championship games.

The Lady Wolfpack won the first matchup of the season, 54-38, while the Greenbrier boys lost to Evans, 57-53.

"It will be a great matchup," Greenbrier coach Casey Dees said. "Anytime we play Evans, it is big."