The boys game saw scoring aplenty in the opening quarter. In a sense, both teams mirrored one another as they looked to find open guards around the perimeter to shoot the three, which opened up space in the post. South Paulding guard Artavius Love got off to a hot start, hitting two threes in a row, while also showing off his stellar driving ability. Meanwhile Lithia, with one of the top front courts in the region with Tius Vick and Neil Phillips, scored most of their points at the end of the quarter down low. As the quarter came to a close, Lithia was holding on to a narrow one point lead, 19-18.
The scoring pace fell in the beginning of the second quarter, due mainly to each team being able to feel out the other's game plan. Midway through the quarter, Love had the most impressive individual play with a highlight dunk over a Lithia defender, sending the South Paulding home crowd to their feet. In most cases this would initiate a scoring run for the Spartans, however, the play seemed to fuel the Lithia defense, especially Phillips as he rejected three shots following the play. Lithia extended their lead to four, 34-30 as the teams entered the locker room at half. Vick led the Lithia first half scoring with 8, while Love led all scoring with 15.
The defensive pressure was at an all time high for each team in the second half with scoring held to a minimum. South Paulding's shots which were falling in the first half did not drop in the second. However, their defense kept them in the game with forced turnovers and efficient rebounding. The Spartans minimally narrowed the gap as the third quarter came to an end with Lithia leading 41-38.
You could tell the importance of the game by looking at both the head coaches' demeanor. Lithia's Coach Cantrell wanted his team to go and finish the job, earning a significant region win and that's exactly what they did, holding the Spartans to just three points, including a scoring drought that lasted over three minutes. Lithia also helped their cause by converting their free throws in the final minutes. Although South Paulding's Love was held scoreless in the second half, he remained the game's leading scorer with 15. Phillips led Lithia scoring with 12, followed by Vick and guard Beau Carter with 11 each.
The girls game was tight early on as both teams battled, especially in the paint, to try and establish the lead. Lithia point guard Tobreshia Horn played with intensity as she fought for several loose balls, while distributing the ball with effectiveness and efficiency on the offensive side. Center Selena Crummie established her presence down low quickly as well, blocking many shots down low or forcing Lady Spartan players to alter their shots. As the first quarter came to a close, Lithia led by three points, 10-7.
The Lady Lions went up 38-21 by the half, thanks to a 14-4 runt o start the second quarter. In the third quarter Lithia continued to pull away, going up 57-28 in the third.
Horn led the Lady Lions in scoring with 17 points. Lithia wrapped up the contest, maintaining their lead in the region, while extending their winning streak to six games.
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