The Chapel Hill Panthers claimed a 52-44 win over Drew Charter Middle School in the DCSD/APS Challenge. (Photo by Curtis Johnson)
The Chapel Hill Panthers and Lady Panthers swept a pair of middle school basketball games against teams from Atlanta Public Schools (APS) to give DeKalb County bragging rights in the event played at APS’s Maynard Jackson High School on Saturday, February 10.
Coach Wayne Westley’s Panthers completed the sweep in the nightcap by rallying from a 20-7 first quarter deficit to knock off Drew Charter Middle School 52-44.
Chapel Hill, 18-0 on the season with the win, found itself trailing for the first time all season and the guys responded with a huge second quarter to take command of the game. The Panthers answered the big first quarter by the Eagles by outscoring their opponent 24-4 in the second quarter to take a 31-24 lead into the half.
Chapel Hill Coach Wayne Westley (left) stands with his MVP of the game, Kei-Sean Roberts (right). (Photo by Curtis Johnson)
The Chapel Hill defense was the key in turning around the game with its stifling defensive pressure that converted turnovers into easy transition baskets.
Drew made things tighter early in the fourth quarter until the defensive pressure by the Panthers turned the game back around on the way to the 52-44 victory.
Kei-Sean Roberts was named the game’s Most Valuable Player after scoring 15 points, dishing nine assists and picking up four steals to lead the Panthers. True Taylor contributed 13 points, 3 assists and two steals and Jacob Reid had a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double along with three assists, two steals and three blocked shots.
The Chapel Hill Lady Panthers defeated Babb Middle 41-33 to start a DeKalb sweep of the DCSD/APS Challenge. (Photo by Curtis Johnson)
(G) Chapel Hill 41, Babb 33
The Chapel Hill Lady Panthers opened the sweep with a 41-33 win over Babb Lady Bulldogs in the first game at Maynard Jackson High.
Babb was up 12-10 after the first quarter of action, but the Lady Panthers knotted the score at 21-21 at the half.
Chapel Hill managed a 12-8 advantage in the third quarter to take the lead for good at 33-29 heading into the fourth quarter as the defensive
Chapel Hill’s Mauri Barnes had a big game for the Lady Panthers in the win over Babb to win MVP honors. (Courtesy Photo)
pressure was turned up with three players combining for 26 steals in the game for the Lady Panthers. Coaches Ronald Moye and Stephon Broughton’s Lady Panthers outscored Babb again in the fourth quarter by an 8-4 margin as both teams struggled to score to make the final of 41-33.
Mauri Barnes led the way for Chapel Hill with 17 points, 11 steals and five assists to earn the game’s Most Valuable Player Award.
Kennedi Thomas added 11 points (7 steals, 6 rebounds) for the Lady Panthers along with Avantey Gilreath with nine points (11 rebounds, 5 blocks) and Janise McCoy four points (8 assists, 8 steals).