Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Bobcats defeat Lanier County 49-47 on late three-pointer; Lady Bobcats ease past Stewart County

VIENNA— Both of Dooly County High School’s basketball teams moved into the second round of the GHSA class A state tournament after wins Saturday night on their home floor.

The Bobcats (18-8 record on the season) used a late three-pointer from Shamon Zanders to edge a tough Lanier County squad (15-11) 49-47 in a thrilling contest, while the Lady Bobcats (19-6) put away Stewart County (12-9) by a final score of 51-27.

Bobcats 49, Lanier County Bulldogs 47

The Bobcats outscored Lanier County 14-9 in the first quarter of Saturday night’s first round playoff game behind eight points from Eric Ivory, and two apiece from Zeff Felton, Reggie Smith, and Zanders.

Lanier kept the score close in the second quarter, as they outscored the Bobcats 13-11. Bubba Almond scored six points in the quarter for Dooly, while Ivory knocked down his second three-pointer of the night, and Zeff Felton pitched in with two points. Dooly held a 25-22 lead over the Bulldogs at the half.

The Bobcats started the third quarter with a 6-0 scoring run on a fast break dunk by Zeff Felton, followed by a pair of layups by Jeff Felton.

The Bulldogs subsequently put together a scoring run to close out the quarter and cut back into the Dooly lead, but the Bobcats were in front 40-35 going into the fourth quarter.

Lanier opened up the fourth quarter on an 8-0 scoring run to take a 43-40 lead over the Bobcats at the 3:40 mark of the period.

Jeff Felton then split a pair of free throws to get Dooly back within two points of the lead at 43-41, but Lanier later brought their lead out to four points with a layup just before the two minute mark of the period.

Ivory then hit his third three-pointer of the night on the next Dooly possession to make the score 45-44 in favor of the Bulldogs, but Lanier got back in front by three with a pair of free throws with 48 seconds to go in the contest.

Jeff Felton scored a layup for the Bobcats with 31 seconds remaining to cut the Lanier County lead back to one point at 47-46. The Bobcats committed a foul on the ensuing possession, and Lanier County missed the subsequent free throw before committing a foul on the rebound attempt, giving Dooly the ball and a chance to win the game with less than 30 seconds to play.

Dooly then grabbed a 49-47 lead on the possession, as Zanders connected on a three-pointer with just seven seconds left on the clock.

The Bobcats applied heavy defensive pressure on Lanier on the ensuing possession, and the last second shot from the Bulldogs missed the mark.

Dooly won the game by the final score of 49-47 to advance into the second round of the state playoffs.

Final individual stats for the Bobcats: Ivory- 14 points, one rebound, three assists, and one steal; Jeff Felton- nine points and six rebounds; Zanders- seven points, one rebound, and six assists; Zeff Felton- six points, 11 rebounds, two steals, and four blocks; Almond- six points, one rebound, and one steal; Smith- four points, one rebound, five assists, and two steals; Rashad Lucas- two points, seven rebounds, and two blocks; Tre Davis- one rebound and one steal.

The Bobcats will be on the road at Truetlen (27-1) on Thursday night at 6 p.m. for the second round of the class A state tournament.

Dooly and Truetlen matched up once earlier this season in Vienna on January 8, with the Vikings coming away with the win over the Bobcats 53-45 on the night.

Lady Bobcats 51, Stewart County 27

The Lady Bobcats easily handled Stewart County earlier in the night in their first round playoff game by a final score of 51-27.

Dooly had scoring contributions from 10 different payers in the game, with Jasmine Clark leading the way with a total of nine points by way of three successful three-point baskets.

Other Dooly scoring totals from the win over Stewart County were as follows: Ty’tianna Williams- seven points; Tierra Burden, Jashuma Green, and Ta’kerria Lee- six points each, Antanazsha Robinson- five; Sha’Nyah Bolden- four; Jaliesha Wiggins and Kaleyia Smith- three apiece; Miracle Fields- two.

The Lady Bobcats will play at Wheeler County (21-5) in the second round of the state tournament on Wednesday night at 6 p.m.