Game puts Evans atop standings

After a 2-2 start to the season, the Evans Knights have gained full momentum and once again sit atop Columbia County basketball standings.

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Their two losses came with three starters and a few other key contributors unavailable because of an extended football season. Since those football players have returned to the hardwood, the Knights haven't lost a game.

Their most recent win came during the weekend, when they defeated Harlem 70-64.

"We're very happy right now," Evans boys basketball coach Kevin Kenny said. "We're 6-0 with a full team."

One of those football players, senior Jonathan Nicely, led the Knights with 19 points in the win at Harlem. The tall post player with a strong jump shot typically presents matchup problems. Friday's game at Harlem was no exception.

"Jonathan's a big part of our offense," Kenny said. "We can go inside or outside with him because he's big but he can shoot the three."

Harlem, trailing 51-36 after three quarters, did mount a comeback attempt. The Bulldogs' offense exploded for 28 points in the fourth quarter but came up six points short of forcing overtime.

"We got up big, and then they made a comeback," Kenny said. "We knew Cedric (Boatner) was going to score. He got real hot in the second half."

Boatner scored a game-high 24 points.

Lakeside boys 46, Wash.-Wilkes 40, OT

The Panthers avenged an early-season blowout loss to Washington-Wilkes with an overtime win on the Tigers' court Friday. Washington-Wilkes appeared headed for a win as the Tigers led by two points with Jarekus Bowman at the foul line in the closing seconds of regulation. Bowman missed the free throws, and Lakeside's Cody Marsh charged down the court with the ball. The junior guard went up for a shot, was fouled and hit both free throws to force overtime. The Panthers outscored Washington-Wilkes 13-7 in the extra frame to extend their winning streak to five games.

Lakeside fell to Westside 58-43 Saturday night to end the winning streak and drop the Panthers to 5-5 on the season.

ACS boys 90, Curtis Baptist 50

Augusta Christian improved to 6-0 with a 57-19 win over Wyman King and a 40-point victory over Curtis Baptist. Senior Tyler Bourdo scored 28 points in the two games while Hobbs added 27.

Harlem girls 47, Evans 37

The Harlem victory came at home this time as sisters Ebony and Nicole Wells combined for 23 points. The Lady Bulldogs improved to 4-4 on the season heading into their game with Greenbrier on Thursday.

Lakeside girls 45, Westside 20

The Lady Panthers picked up a pair of blowout wins over Washington-Wilkes and Westside over the weekend. Freshman Carolyn Hennecken led the Lady Panthers with 26 points in the two games, while Alex Cassagnol added 17. Lakeside entered the week with a 6-4 overall record.

ACS girls 67, Curtis Baptist 39

The Lady Lions also grabbed two wins over the weekend. Augusta Christian's girls handed Wyman King a 14-point loss Friday and doubled the margin of victory against Curtis Baptist a day later. Amaura Brandt continued her hot three-point shooting by drilling six over the weekend and finishing with 33 points.

Greenbrier girls 69, Burke County 49

Greenbrier picked up victories over Burke County and Oconee County during the weekend. The two wins improved the Lady Wolfpack's mark to a perfect 10-0. Since the beginning of the 2006-07 season, Greenbrier's girls basketball team has won 39 of 40 games. They'll play Harlem at home on Thursday.

Greenbrier boys 58, Oconee County 52

The Wolfpack split a pair of games over the weekend. After losing to Burke County 72-57, Greenbrier rebounded with a six-point victory over Oconee County. The split moved Greenbrier's record to 4-6 heading into Thursday's game against Harlem.