CHULA — Tiftarea Academy’s boys basketball history has not been the most favorable for the Panthers over the years, but Friday night at the Chuladome, Tiftarea never trailed in a 49-40 win.
Deerfield’s Lady Knights also led all game, defeating Tiftarea’s girls, 56-23.
This was only the second win for the Panthers over Deerfield-Windsor since 2009. The other victory was in January 2019.
The Knights could only come as close as a tie in the 1st quarter (7-7), though the 3rd almost go too close for comfort. Behind 13 1st half points from J.R. Walker, the Panthers built a 30-15 advantage at intermission.
Deerfield-Windsor came out of the break firing, scoring the first 12 points of the 3rd to draw to 30-27. Elijah Smith’s drive and a Whit Jordan basket put a little distance back in the lead, but Tiftarea was up only up 34-31 going into the 4th.
Andrew Connell came to the rescue on a personal 5-2 run to go ahead 39-33. The Knights only briefly threatened after and soon Jordan drained a triple to go ahead 47-35.
Tiftarea went ahead 5-0 in the 1st quarter, 14-8 at its end. The Panthers stayed hot in the 2nd, Walker free throws with 2.8 seconds to go allowed them to double up the Knights, 30-15.
Connell, who has a shot style and distance similar to Pete Maravich at the same age, had yet another NBA-range 3-pointer in the 1st half, hitting a show from the ‘TA’ logo near the sideline.
Walker’s 13 points were tops for the Panthers, with Connell at 12 points. Elijah Smith scored 9 with Ben Smith at 8.
The Lady Knights were ahead 29-10 at halftime. Tiftarea’s best quarter was the 4th, when they scored nine points.
Amelia Mercer scored 8 to lead the Lady Panthers, with Isabel Fernandez at 6 points. Kate Coogle and Kate Phillips each scored 4, with Elaine Mercer at 1.
Tiftarea has two regular season contests remaining, at Terrell Academy on Feb. 6 and at Georgia Christian Feb. 8.