Buzz-zer Beaters were the result iof this week’s rivalry games.
Rockmart boys win over Cedartown
The big rivalry showdown came down to the final seconds and a big buzzer-beater shot for Jackets’ Morgan Sims, but that wasn’t all the basketball happening for the Rockmart or Cedartown this past week.
And overall, both teams will still have to fight hard through two final games this week before heading off to the region tournament and a chance of the state playoffs.
Here’s a round-up of games from over the past week for both Cedartown and Rockmart.
Rockmart wins over Cedartown in buzzer beater
Rockmart and Cedartown traded the lead right down to the finish Friday night, with the Yellow Jackets’ Morgan Sims providing the finishing flair and the 44-42 rivalry win.
The Yellow Jackets initially took over on offense in the first half and took a 23-16 lead into the locker room at the break, but back on the court in the third quarter Cedartown surged back and regained the lead.
Turnovers became key late in the second half as Rockmart rebounded and kept the game within a score, and Sims got a chance for a final shot after Cedartown gave up the ball on their side of the court with five seconds left in the game.
Rockmart head coach Kyle Stephens said after the game his team would celebrate the needed win heading into the last games of the regular season, but that they would have to get back up and play tomorrow at Darlington.
Rockmart and Cedartown play the Dragons
The Pepperell Dragons (12-7, 5-2 Region 5-AAA) scrapped their way to a hard fought win at home in a make-up game over Rockmart 58-49 on Wednesday, Jan. 27.
Dragons Head coach Skip Matherly said his team pushed forward on their own accord to overtake the visiting Yellow Jackets (5-15, 3-3 Region 5-AAA) in the midweek contest, having given up the lead twice in the game and battled back.
It was their work in the second half that made the difference, Matherly said.
“The kids took it upon themselves to turn it up a notch, and the press was much more effective,” Matherly said. “I think it got in their legs.”
Pepperell and Rockmart kept it close through the first quarter with the Dragons holding fast with a three point lead at 14-11 by the end of the first quarter.
Fans then got a show from the two teams as they traded scores in the second quarter and a trio of Dragons – Thomas Eddy, Tucker Wells and Austin Strickland – took over on offense.
“Tucker has just gotten better and better,” Matherly said. “And Thomas is doing the things a three-year letterman is expected to do this time of year.”
Wells ended up heading up the scoring column for Pepperell with 18 points, picking up 10 of his 18 points on the night with well-timed three pointers in the third and fourth quarters.
Eddy hit 14 points on the night and Strickland 13 as the pair worked both on the three point line and drove inside for the layup in a dominant second half.
Rockmart’s Bronson Garner headed up the scoring column for the Jackets with a 13 point game.
It turned into a shootout between the Bulldogs as they traveled to Lindale on Jan. 26 and defeated Pepperell, 71-55.
The visitors used an 8-3 run at the end of the first quarter to take a 17-16 lead.
Pepperell was able to climb back on top following a Tucker Wells 3-pointer with 1:59 left in the half, but the Bulldogs scored the final seven points before halftime to take a 31-25 lead and never look back.
Cedartown’s Quan Neal led all scorers with 24 points, 14 of which came in the first half. Trevon Wofford and Brayden McCollum each added 11 for the Bulldogs.
Pepperell was paced by Wells, who finished with 21 points and four treys, while Tae Hammond had 11 and Thomas Eddy finished with eight.
Cedartown (7-10, 3-3 in 5-AAA) kicked off the second half on a 9-2 run and used a three-minute stretch in the fourth quarter to go on a 10-0 run that gave the Bulldogs a 19-point lead, 65-46.
Pepperell (11-7, 4-2) suffered from missed shots and turnovers throughout the game. The Dragons found a chance in the third to get within eight of Cedartown, but couldn’t hold onto the momentum.
Over the weekend
Rockmart, who traveled up to face Darlington on Saturday, Jan. 30, fell in their road contest to the Tigers in a 55-29 finish.
Cedartown hosted Callaway at home and lost to the visiting Cavaliers in a 73-51 contest.
Rockmart is back in action Tuesday night after press time hosting Central, and Cedartown will take the court Tuesday hosting Haralson County.