Syrupmakers slip by Westover in overtime thriller
Darrie Stephens is holding tight as Dougherty defenders put the squeeze on him during last week’s win over the Trojans.
By: Michael Best
The Cairo Syrupmakers got two free throws from Brian Walker with less than one second to play Tuesday night to force overtime against region leading Westover. Cairo then outscored the Patriots 6-4 in overtime to beat Westover 51-49 in a big region 1-AAA contest at the Cairo Gym. The Syrupmaids lost the opening game of the night 51-27.
“We’re working hard, and we’ll keep working,” said Syrupmaid coach Lucy Baker after Tuesday’s loss to the Lady Patriots. The Syrupmaids had a cold night shooting, scoring just 3 points in the first quarter and five in the second. Meanwhile the Lady Patriots built a 21-8 lead at the half, and pulled away 51-27. Cairo’s Kierra Addison led the Maids with 12 points on the night.
The Cairo Syrupmakers have made their way through the tough region 1-AAA schedule one time, beating Perry, Crisp County, Dougherty, and now Westover. The Makers have lost on the road to Peach County, Monroe and Worth County. Every game has been close one way or the other, and with round one of the region completed Cairo is +2 in the overall points total. “Thats close, too close, but our guys are playing tough and battling everybody, they don’t back down, and they don’t give up and thats all we can ask out of them,” said Syrupmaker coach Isiah Chance.
The Syrupmakers played the Patriots, who had only one region loss coming into Tuesday night’s game, close all night. Cairo trailed 25-21 at the half, and 37-36 after three quarters. Cairo outscored Westover 9-8 in the final quarter and sent the game to overtime on Walker’s last second heroics. “That was big, all we ever want is a chance at the end, and our guys put us in the position,” said Chance.
In overtime, the Syrupmakers got several key rebounds, and forced a turnover inthe final minute to pull ahead. Kentrail Brown led the Makers with 17 points, and Terrell Bryant and Kendrick Kelly both had 10 points in the win.
With the win, Cairo is in second place in the region and will start the region rotation again at home Friday night against Worth County with the Syrupmaids tipping off at 6pm in the Cairo Gym. Cairo will be on the road Saturday night to face Thomasville at 6pm
