Pee Dee wins one, loses one to Robert E. Lee

For Pee Dee Academy and Robert E. Lee, the past few years have given some thrills to the faithful on the hardwood -- close, nip and tuck affairs coming down the last plays and even some overtime classics when the two basketball teams locked horns.

On Nov. 24, when they came together again, one game was another classic while the other certainly was not, at least not in the eyes of the Golden Eagle faithful. Both girls' teams came into their match-up with 1-0 marks but only one could leave undefeated. And, early on, it seemes as if there would be no doubt who would be the victor. After falling behind early on a free throw by the Cavaliers, Pee Dee shot off 16 straight points.

First, Katelyn Browne scored off an inbounds play, then C.C. Causey buried a jumper followed by an outside bomb from Katherine Rogers. Browne would score on a putback, then would hit again from inside when Rogers threaded the needle on a sweet dish to the post for the bucket plus the foul.

Ginni Reaves McMillan scored a pair of buckets down low, the second coming on a backdoor cut that left the Cavaliers flat-footed watching. The Golden Eagles upped the lead to 26-7 at intermission and dominated all facets of the game. Then, things took a drastic turn.

The physical play that was not allowed in the first half by the officials quickly became a way of life and of survival in this contest. The Robert E. Lee guards were now able to pummel their Golden Eagle counterparts at will, leading to quick scores and a turn in the ball game.

A pair of outside shots and a connection on the baseline by Robert E. Lee knotted the score at 35 with three minutes to play. With the tie score, the old nerves set in. Someone had to step up and take control back for Pee Dee. And, it was Jeffre Rogers who got things back together. Two steals from the sophomore guard led to two left-handed break-away baskets and a four point edge.

Lee got back within two and had a chance for the tie with under a minute to play, but a staunch Golden Eagle defense forced a turnover in the lane. Browne would hit on two free throws with 14 seconds left to double the lead, but the Cavaliers responded with a trey to get back within one. Browne went back to the line and hit two more charity shots to make the lead three.

Finally, a desperation shot for the tie from 20 feet out from the Cavs hit rim and Pee Dee escaped with a 43-40 win.

Browne led the scoring with 21 points followed by Jeffre Rogers with 6 and Causey with a handful at 5. With the win, the Golden Eagles ladies move to 2-0 on the year.

The first game for the boys a week earlier had provided nothing but a struggle for the blue and gold. This time, against Lee, Pee Dee showed some promise.

After falling behind early, the Golden Eagles hung in for the first half. Down 2-0, Charlie Fincannon found Kevin Driggers down low for the duece. Jed Hayes would score on a banker and Bradley George would finish out the first quarter with a long range bomb. With the first eight minutes in the books, the Golden Eagles trailed 14-8.

Hayes would connect on a foul line jumper to open the second, then Fincannon went amongst the trees for a putback. Fincannon bounded one off back rim and in for another two and then George hit Jamie Estes down low for a score to tie the game.

Pee Dee took their first lead on two free throws by George, but the Cavaliers would score just before the break to take a two-point lead to the locker room. After sixteen minutes, Jerry Coleman's boys had shown marked improvement and were hanging in this contest with the 3A school from Bishopville.

However, when the second half began, the wheels fell completely off of the Pee Dee bus. A scant six points and zero field goals would be the second half totals and would totally doom any chance of victory. The Cavaliers took complete control and ran away with a 51-26 win.

Fincannon with eight points and George with 5 led the way for Pee Dee in scoring as the Golden Eagles fell to 0-2 on the season.

This coming weekend, both squads will travel to Lake City for the Carolina Academy Invitational Tournament.

Game times begin at 4 p.m. Friday and the times for Saturday will be determined.