Lady Pacers see what Lakeside grad can do

Former Lakeside High School Panther Nichole Bennett wraps up her college basketball career this season for the University of South Carolina Aiken Lady Pacers.

The 5-foot-9-inch guard was a three-time All-County performer during her high school days at Lakeside, and after two seasons at Seminole Community College, she signed to play her final two seasons in the Peach Belt Conference for USC Aiken.

So far, the Lady Pacers have fared pretty well. Their record is 5-3, and Bennett is a key player. She averages 4.5 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists per contest. On Nov. 17 vs. Catawba College, she poured in a season-high 12 points and dished out four assists in just 11 minutes on the floor as the Lady Pacers won 74-63. You can count on her to turn in a few more big games before the season comes to a close.

This is a column about Columbia County sports, but I felt it was appropriate to congratulate our neighbors in Lincoln County on another outstanding football season, and wish them luck as they try to win back-to-back state titles Saturday as they play host to Clinch County for the Class A Championship.

This would be the Red Devils' 14th state title. They are 13-1 and riding an 11-game winning streak. Lincoln County has done it with one of the best defenses in state history. So far this season, the Red Devils have yielded just 41 total points in 14 games. That is fewer than three points per contest.

They have eight shutouts in those 14 games.

Good luck to coach Larry Campbell and the Red Devils this weekend.