MOULTRIE — After an incredibly hard fought battle, the Packers came up just short during their match against Cairo, losing by a single basket. The final score was 64-62.
The Packers now sit 3-8 in their overall season.
“We just need to learn how to close under pressure,” said head coach Andy Harden. “The boys played really hard and have a great work ethic.”
Coming out strong, the Packers played a solid first half, going into the break with a 10-point lead.
It took several minutes of turnovers in the first quarter before either team managed a successful basket.
Cairo was the first team on the scoreboard with 5 minutes 23 seconds left in the quarter, but the Packers answered with points of their own.
Within the next minute the score was 5-2, advantage Packers, after Jae Lamar had a lay-up and Cason Harden had a 3-point shot.
Before the end of the first quarter, Harden also blocked one of Cairo’s shot attempts and stole the ball, which resulted in a pass to Lamar and two more points on the board.
The Packers went into second quarter with a 5-point lead.
With three more steals, each from a different athlete – Ja’shar Kinsey, Zay Williams and Narayan Sumlin – and Zhi Alridge blocking another of Cairo’s shot attempts, the Packers remained in the zone.
As the referee called for halftime, the Packers had increased their lead to a 10-point margin. The score was 35-25.
Resuming the game, Cairo came on the court with a determination to gain the upper hand; however, the Packers maintained the lead all through the third quarter, and well into the fourth.
This was not before Cairo raised the score to 35-32 before the Packers were able to score another basket.
“It’s tough when they are able to gain 8-points right out of the gate,” said Coach Harden. “We need to learn how to respond to that better.”
2:50 into the third quarter, Lamar got the Packers their first points, and when the final quarter started the score was 53-51, advantage Packers.
With 8:00 on the clock, and only a 2-point margin, the final battle began.
The pace of the game slowly increased with each second that passed as both Cairo and the Packers knew either team could come out victorious.
Several times the team with the advantage bounced back and forth.
Cairo managed to gain a 1-point lead with 5:00 remaining, but only 10 seconds later the Packers regained that single point advantage back with a tricky offensive move.
From the side of basket, Williams passed the ball to Lamar, who then did a spin underneath the basket, weaving around two defenders, before jumping up and gently tossing the ball through the hoop.
It was with only 2:25 left in the game where Cairo managed to hold their lead.
With less than a minute Harden had another 3-point basket, bringing the Packers only a single point behind, making it still possible for them to win if they could quickly regain possession.
But, that didn’t happen.
With only 11 seconds left, a free throw from Cairo added that last point and created that two point margin.
“We will continue to work and get better,” said Coach Harden. “No if’s, ands or buts.”
Scoring the most points for the Packers this game was Lamar with 18-points.
Following Lamar with 14-points was Jakari Bryd, who got over half those points as the result of rebound shots.
The Packers, having the home court advantage, will play Richmond Hill in their first region match of the season Friday, beginning at 6.m.
The Lady Packers will face Richmond Hill directly before the Packers, at 4:30 p.m.