Columbia and East Rankin split two
Southern Sports & Travel, By Darron Thomas
The 3rd ranked Columbia Cougars withstood a late fourth quarter rally by visiting East Rankin last night to earn a 61-53 win and improve to 10-4 on the season.
Both squads stayed relatively close throughout the opening quarter. Tanner Pace’s basket at the 2:41 mark put the Cougars up 11-6 but East Rankin answered as Spencer Shoemaker converted on one of two free throws and then nailed a 3-pointer to trim the deficit to 11-10 with just under two minutes left in the quarter. Columbia finished the quarter with seven straight points as Drew Broome scored off an inbounds pass, Christian Robbins hit two free throws and Pace hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key as the horn sounded to end the quarter and Columbia up 18-10.
The Cougars increased their lead to eleven at 27-16 halfway through the second quarter on a Cole Oglesbee jumper. East Rankin’s Mathew Toal hit two free throws with just over a minute remaining to pull the Patriot’s back to within eight at 31-23 as the half closed. (Photo below) Christian Robbins (#0) alters the shot of ERA's Tyler Rhodes.
East Rankin continued cutting into the Columbia lead to open the second half as Tyler Gray scored the first two buckets of the quarter, the later an eight foot floater over 6’10” Christian Robbins. Columbia answered by going on a 10-2 run over the next three minutes to increase their advantage to 41-29 with just under four minutes left in the third quarter.
East Rankin wouldn’t go away and managed to stay within striking distance when Tyler Rhodes (10 points in the quarter) closed out the quarter with a basket and Columbia on top 47-40.
Christian Robbins started the final quarter with a lay-in to put the Cougars up by nine at 49-40 but East Rankin started chipping away at that lead. Dylan Cross converted on a basket plus one for the Patriots and after Christian Robbins made one of two free throws, Spencer Shoemaker and Tyler Rhodes each scored and with six minutes remaining Columbia’s lead had been cut to 50-47. East Rankin pulled to within two points at 51-49 on a Dylan Cross steal and layup with 4:23 left. Columbia withstood the Patriot’s full court pressure just enough to push the lead back up to six at 55-49 as Robbins hit two of four free throws and pulled down an offensive rebound to score a bucket with 2:50 remaining. The junior center fouled out with 2:40 left but East Rankin could get no closer than four points. Tanner Pace sealed the win for Columbia hitting four of four free throws in the closing seconds to give the Cougars a big win as they head into the Christmas holidays.
Christian Robbins led Columbia with 19 points, Tanner Pace added 17, Drew Broome had 11, Cole Oglesbee 9, Brooks Robinson 3 and Jas Stringer 2 points.
For East Rankin Tyler Rhodes had 19 points, Mathew Toal 10, Tyler Gray 9, Spencer Shoemaker 8 and Dylan Cross 7 points.
Next up for Columbia will be Wayne Academy on January 4th.
East Rankin (8-4) will be in action at the Brookhaven Holiday Tournament starting on December 28th.
CA….18…13…16…14…61
ERA..10..13…17…13…53
Girls action.....Southern Sports & Travel, By Darron Thomas
The 3rd ranked Columbia Cougars withstood a late fourth quarter rally by visiting East Rankin last night to earn a 61-53 win and improve to 10-4 on the season.
Both squads stayed relatively close throughout the opening quarter. Tanner Pace’s basket at the 2:41 mark put the Cougars up 11-6 but East Rankin answered as Spencer Shoemaker converted on one of two free throws and then nailed a 3-pointer to trim the deficit to 11-10 with just under two minutes left in the quarter. Columbia finished the quarter with seven straight points as Drew Broome scored off an inbounds pass, Christian Robbins hit two free throws and Pace hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key as the horn sounded to end the quarter and Columbia up 18-10.
The Cougars increased their lead to eleven at 27-16 halfway through the second quarter on a Cole Oglesbee jumper. East Rankin’s Mathew Toal hit two free throws with just over a minute remaining to pull the Patriot’s back to within eight at 31-23 as the half closed. (Photo below) Christian Robbins (#0) alters the shot of ERA's Tyler Rhodes.
East Rankin continued cutting into the Columbia lead to open the second half as Tyler Gray scored the first two buckets of the quarter, the later an eight foot floater over 6’10” Christian Robbins. Columbia answered by going on a 10-2 run over the next three minutes to increase their advantage to 41-29 with just under four minutes left in the third quarter.
East Rankin wouldn’t go away and managed to stay within striking distance when Tyler Rhodes (10 points in the quarter) closed out the quarter with a basket and Columbia on top 47-40.
Christian Robbins started the final quarter with a lay-in to put the Cougars up by nine at 49-40 but East Rankin started chipping away at that lead. Dylan Cross converted on a basket plus one for the Patriots and after Christian Robbins made one of two free throws, Spencer Shoemaker and Tyler Rhodes each scored and with six minutes remaining Columbia’s lead had been cut to 50-47. East Rankin pulled to within two points at 51-49 on a Dylan Cross steal and layup with 4:23 left. Columbia withstood the Patriot’s full court pressure just enough to push the lead back up to six at 55-49 as Robbins hit two of four free throws and pulled down an offensive rebound to score a bucket with 2:50 remaining. The junior center fouled out with 2:40 left but East Rankin could get no closer than four points. Tanner Pace sealed the win for Columbia hitting four of four free throws in the closing seconds to give the Cougars a big win as they head into the Christmas holidays.
Christian Robbins led Columbia with 19 points, Tanner Pace added 17, Drew Broome had 11, Cole Oglesbee 9, Brooks Robinson 3 and Jas Stringer 2 points.
For East Rankin Tyler Rhodes had 19 points, Mathew Toal 10, Tyler Gray 9, Spencer Shoemaker 8 and Dylan Cross 7 points.
Next up for Columbia will be Wayne Academy on January 4th.
East Rankin (8-4) will be in action at the Brookhaven Holiday Tournament starting on December 28th.
CA….18…13…16…14…61
ERA..10..13…17…13…53
The task at hand for the home-standing Lady Cougars of Columbia was much more daunting than the boys game that ensued. The already injury plagued Columbia squad had the pleasure of entertaining what many say is the best team in the entire MAIS. Not only are the East Rankin Lady Patriots at the top of the AAA polls, but they also have arguably the best player in the MAIS on their roster. Brooke Rhodes entered last night’s contest averaging just over 25 points a game and it took little time to see why East Rankin and Rhodes are so heralded as they raced out to a 35-5 lead midway through the second quarter en route to a 57-30 win. The win pus
hed East Rankin’s season mark to 13-1 while Columbia slipped to 10-6.
Rhodes had nine points in the opening quarter as the senior guard hit baskets from just inside the top of the key, the wing, baseline and elbow. (Photo left) East Rankin's Brooke Rhodes (#23) launches a 3-point shot.
East Rankin held a commanding 36-11 halftime lead in which Brianna May contributed two 3-pointers and lightening quick guard Courtney Lyle two fast break buckets.
Brooke Rhodes led East Rankin with a game high 18 points, Courtney Lyle added 10, Brianna May and Rachel Knight each had 6, Kaitlyn Coghlan 5 and Bridget Byrd 4.
Columbia was led by Ashton Scarborough’s 11 points, Hannah Martin had 8, Sissy Price 6, Wilks 3 and Lauren Williamson 2.
ERA…17…19…13…8…57
CA…..5…..6..…8…4…30
hed East Rankin’s season mark to 13-1 while Columbia slipped to 10-6.Rhodes had nine points in the opening quarter as the senior guard hit baskets from just inside the top of the key, the wing, baseline and elbow. (Photo left) East Rankin's Brooke Rhodes (#23) launches a 3-point shot.
East Rankin held a commanding 36-11 halftime lead in which Brianna May contributed two 3-pointers and lightening quick guard Courtney Lyle two fast break buckets.
Brooke Rhodes led East Rankin with a game high 18 points, Courtney Lyle added 10, Brianna May and Rachel Knight each had 6, Kaitlyn Coghlan 5 and Bridget Byrd 4.
Columbia was led by Ashton Scarborough’s 11 points, Hannah Martin had 8, Sissy Price 6, Wilks 3 and Lauren Williamson 2.
ERA…17…19…13…8…57
CA…..5…..6..…8…4…30
