Eagles soar at home

By Chris Lane

Sports Correspondent

Pee Dee Academy’s basketball season got into full swing last week and they began the first of three straight weeks of three games with a home date versus King’s.

And, it started with a bang as the Lady Golden Eagles ran out of the gate fast to a 22-0 lead in the first quarter against the Lions. Before the visitors could think, the game was over. Samantha McKenzie’s outside shooting and Alex Pittman’s work inside combined for 21 points in the 46-10 Pee Dee victory. But, the fireworks really shot off in the boy’s game. Just ten days earlier, Kings had handed the Golden Eagles a 30-point defeat.

And, in the early going, it looked like it would be a repeat performance as three outside bombs from the Lions propelled them to a 9-3 advantage two minutes in. A quick timeout by Jerry Coleman worked as Pee Dee held Kings scoreless the rest of the quarter and took the lead on a three-pointer by Bradley George just before the first quarter buzzer.

The hard, physical play off the Golden Eagles took it’s toll on the Lions and the lead grew to double digits by the third quarter. The tough, physical banging wore down a finesse King’s squad until a 13-2 rally brought them back within a point.

However, Rand Waller responded with a trey from the corner and baskets by Charlie Fincannon and Chris Jackson pushed the lead back to eight. Kings once again got within one, but Jackson’s 11 fourth quarter points and clutch plays from Fincannon, George and others finished the 48-43 win for Pee Dee.

The very next day at Calvary Christian, the Lady Golden Eagles jumped out to another quick lead of 14-3 after one and never looked back. McKenzie again came up big in the second half with ten and Ginni Reaves McMillan had seven points in the fourth to hold off the Crusaders in a 45-20 Pee Dee win.

But, when the boy’s game began, all pleasantries were put on hold in favor of rough play. And, with the officials slow to stop it, an ugly, physical battle ensued.

Calvary ran to an astounding 39-8 lead before a huge rally almost got the Golden Eagles back into the ball game. Fourteen second half points from Kyle Drew and twelve combined from George and Fincannon got Pee Dee back in it before time ran out and Calvary had the 68-56 win.

And, finally, Carolina came to town last Friday. Things stayed the same with the rough, physical play and also with a split in games.

The Golden Eagles tenacious defense wore down the Lady Bobcats, forcing numerous turnovers the led to easy baskets and the early lead.

McKenzie again led a balanced attack with 10 of her 16 points coming in the second half. In all, nine players put the biscuit in the basket for Pee Dee as they ran their record to 5-1 on the year with the 42-27 win. The boy’s team started out well for the Golden Eagles, hitting on three outside jumpers for a 9-4  lead. After Carolina rallied for the tie, Kyle Drew hit a jumper at the buzzer for an 11-9 Pee Dee lead.

However, the Bobcat’s running game and pressure finally got the better of the Golden Eagles as they ran back into the lead and were up seven at the break. Arnett James returned to the line-up after injury and threw in twelve second half points to rally Pee Dee to within three. But, another Carolina uprising put the game away and the visitors left Mullins with a 54-44 win. The loss drops the boys to 2-4 on the year.

This Thursday, Florence Christian pays a visit to Mullins before the Golden Eagles travel to North Myrtle Beach Christian on Friday. All varsity games begin at 6:30 p.m.