Lee County Trojans Surge Past Sumter in Overtime Thriller
UPDATE: The Lee County Trojans triumphed over the Sumter County Panthers with a gripping 63-53 overtime win Saturday night at Lee County High School. This crucial victory improves the Trojans’ record to 2-2, while the Panthers remain winless at 0-1.
In a nail-biting finish, both teams entered overtime tied at 49-49. Lee County’s fierce full-court press proved decisive, forcing multiple turnovers that quickly translated into points. Josiah Franklin and T.J. Williams each contributed four points during the overtime period, solidifying the Trojans’ lead as they pulled away from Sumter.
The game kicked off with Sumter taking an early 4-0 lead, but Lee County swiftly retaliated with a 7-0 run. The first half was closely contested, with the Panthers briefly leading 26-18 after a powerful slam dunk from Thomas Mays, thrilling their fans. However, the Trojans managed to close the gap by halftime, trailing 26-20.
Franklin emerged as the standout player, leading all scorers with 21 points. Jashawn Maddox contributed 12 points, and Williams rounded out the scoring with 10 points.
In the girls’ matchup, the Lady Panthers edged out the Lady Trojans with a 41-38 victory. The game saw intense competition, especially in the third quarter when Camya Hutcherson of Lee County sank two free throws followed by a three-pointer, giving her team a brief 29-24 lead. The Lady Panthers responded, setting the stage for a dramatic fourth quarter.
As the game progressed, Sumter County took a four-point lead but was met with resilience from Lee County. Kamari Franklin’s late three-pointer tied the game, but the Lady Panthers secured their win by successfully converting key free throws in the closing moments. Hutcherson led the Lady Trojans with 16 points, while Jada Ridley added eight points. Lee County now holds a record of 4-3 for the season.
The turnout at Saturday’s games was exceptional, highlighting the community’s enthusiasm. This strong support underscores the need for a new gymnasium at Lee County High School, a project that recently broke ground and is now one of three high school gyms under construction in the Albany area.
Looking ahead, the Lee County Trojans will face Dougherty on Tuesday in a bid to continue their momentum. Fans can expect another exciting matchup as the Trojans aim to improve their standings in the league.
