Teams fast-break into triple game action

What a week for Pee Dee basketball! In their second of three straight weeks with three games, the Golden Eagles finished with a 5-1 record and exorcised some demons.

Two weeks ago, the Golden Eagles faced a Robert E. Lee team that sent them home from Bishopville with a pair of losses. This time, however, Pee Dee turned the tables and returned the favor.

Unlike last time, the Lady Golden Eagles jumped out to the early lead behind three quick Jeffre Rogers’ baskets. Steady, consistent play from Pee Dee had them up 9 at the half.

In the second half, Samantha McKenzie buried a pair of treys, Alex Pittman scored down low plus one and Ginni Reaves McMillan got a putback basket for a 33-17 lead.

But, back came the Cavaliers. A 15-1 run got the visitors back within two, but McKenzie would hit two from the charity stripe with seven seconds to play to ice the 36-34 win.

McKenzie led the way with 18 points in the victory.

In the boy’s game, Charlie Fincannon got things started early for the blue and gold, driving the ball to the basket and riddling the Lee defense with sensational passing.

With everyone contributing, the Golden Eagle lead grew to seven at the half. The big story, however, was the containment for Cavalier star, Tyler Jackson. In the earlier meeting, he went off for 32 points. In this contest, he was swarmed and pretty much stopped. Some late production got his total up to 14, but it was not nearly enough. Arnett James tallied 16 hard points down low, while Bradley George took over outside the arch and scored 13. Kyle Drew would score ten while Fincannon finished with 8 in the 54-33 romp.

When Florence Christian came to town two days later, the Golden Eagles faced a pair of undefeated squads. And, the Pee Dee girls sent their visitors home with a harsh message in the form of a 55-23 shellacking.

Long distance was the calling card of the night as nine times Pee Dee would bury the outside shot. Five quick bombs in the first quarter got the ball rolling on the way to a six point lead after one. And, the outside hits kept coming. Meanwhile, the Golden Eagles defense bottled up and frustrated FCS, rendering their low post play ineffective and dominating the game. Seven second half points would be all the visitors could muster as the Golden Eagles ran away with the game.

McKenzie led Pee Dee with 23, including five three-pointers while C.C. Causey hit three of her own and totalled 11. Katelyn Browne also got into double-digits with ten.

Kyle Drew got the boy’s game rolling for Pee Dee with eight points in the first two minutes for the early lead.

But, the Florence Christian guards banged away and turned a game of finesse into a penalty-free football game. With the Golden Eagles unable to do the same, FCS walked away with the 58-44 win in a game marred by ugly play, technicals, and frustration.

Arnett James and Charlie Fincannon led Pee Dee with 13 and 12 points respectively.

The very next day, the Golden Eagles traveled to North Myrtle Beach to play their first region game. And, the girls team definitely packed their outside shots on the bus and took them with them.

After falling behind 8-0, McKenzie and Jeffre Rogers got the party started. Four treys led to a 20-13 advantage. And with Ginni Reaves McMillan, Kelsey Dozier and Katelyn Browne controlling the glass, the lead only swelled.

Julie Flowers finished the outside shooting parade while the Golden Eagles finished the night with ten three-pointers, totalling nineteen for the last two games of the week.

McKenzie finished the night with 27 points while Browne added 13, Dozier 10 and Katherine Rogers 9 to move Pee Dee to 8-1 on the year.

The boy’s game started off slow in the first few minutes for the Golden Eagles. But, the rooster crowed and all of the light switches flipped on ( you had to be on the bus ) and Pee Dee took off.

Arnett James took over down low while TJ Jordan and the Pee Dee defense converted numerous turnovers into easy baskets.

James led the way with 13 while the Golden Eagles bench of Bradley George, Scott MacGillivray, Ethan Jacobs, Cody Gibson, Will Johnson, Kevin Thomas and Kevin Driggers combined for 29, led by Driggers’ 10.

The 66-34 final moves the boys to 4-5 on the year.

This Friday and Saturday, Pee Dee hosts the Golden Eagles Invitational starting at 4 o’clock Friday with Pee Dee’s girls to begin at approximately 7 and boys to follow. All game times for Saturday to be determined.