Clint Thompson
THOMASVILLE — Cairo’s defense had its way with Thomasville in the first half Saturday night.
The Syrupmakers’ 3-point shooting was the Bulldogs’ nemesis after halftime.
The Syrupmakers (15-7) held the Bulldogs to 13 first-half points, drained seven 3-pointers in the second half and handed Thomasville its fourth loss of the season 58-53.
The Thomasville girls overcame a tough night offensively, to sneak past the Syrupmaids 51-45.
“We tell our kids all year that we hang our hat on the defensive end of the floor,” Cairo boys coach Isiah Chance said. “This time of year you’ve got to be able to do things well. You’ve got to be able to defend and execute on the offensive end of the floor.”
Thomasville managed just nine points in the first quarter and four in the second period. The Bulldogs struggled to get the ball inside to Willie Clayton, who managed just one first-half field goal.
In the second half, the Syrupmakers stretched their five-point halftime lead to nine as Brian Walker, Jermyrin Bodiford and Jemonta Baker got hot behind the3-point arc, especially Baker. He buried four second-half 3-pointers and scored 16 of his game-high 21 after halftime.
“He’s been playing well,” Chance added.
Walker scored 12 for the Syrupmakers. Bodiford added eight.
Thomasville (18-4) made a run in the fourth quarter, as Robert Carter sank three 3-pointers in the fourth quarter. But turnovers and missed free throws hurt Thomasville’s chances down the stretch.
Baker had a key steal on a Thomasville fast break that kept the Syrupmakers up 52-45. At the charity stripe, Thomasville finished 9-of-20.
Carter and Clayton finished with 15 points each.
Like the boys, the Thomasville girls had a rough night offensively. Thomasville sank just two 3-pointers and had trouble getting second-chance opportunities. Thomasville had just 22 points at halftime.
“Absolutely the worst shooting night this season,by far” Thomasville girls (20-3) coach Thomas McAboy said. “But it’s a win, and we’ll take it.”
Thomasville did have success shooting free throws in the fourth quarter. The key point in the game came in the final period when Thomasville’s Kierrica Spencer was fouled going to the basket. Cairo’s (4-18) Lucy Baker didn’t agree with the call and received a technical. Spencer buried two free throws. On the Lady Bulldogs’ ensuing possession, Audreka Davis was fouled on a shot. She added two more free throws to make it a four-point possession. The lead increased from 45-44 to 49-44.
“We were lucky and fortunate that they stepped up to the line and hit those free throws,” McAboy added.
Spencer finished with a game-high 20 points. Dominque Davis led Cairo with 13 points. The Syrupmaids scored just eight points in the fourth quarter.
