Young cagers make debut

The Cairo Syrupmaids and Syrupmakers will feature complete new starting lineups for both squads as the 2009-2010 season tips off. Both the Makers and Maids graduated all five of last season’s starters. The Maids, who finished 8-19 last season, have only one senior on this year’s squad, and the Makers are missing several players who have been involved in football.
“We are really young this year, and we kind of ran out of gas in our scrimmage with Colquitt County a couple of weeks ago. But they are enthusiastic and want to play and compete, and that’s all you can ask for from them,” said Syrupmaid coach Lucy Baker. Cairo’s lone senior, Quan Sadberry, is set to lead the Maids and got off to a good start in Cairo’s scrimmage by scoring 17 points and grabbing seven rebounds and eight steals.
Meanwhile, Syrupmaker coach Isiah Chance is looking for a team effort from his players this season. “We have a lot of kids who have played, but not started. They are going from playing 10-12 minutes a game to 20-25 minutes a games, that’s a big gap, so we’ll have to wait and see how they mature and get better,” said Chance.
The team got off to good start in the scrimmage with Colquitt County, defeating the Packers 46-45 on a last second shot. Both teams hit the hardwood Friday night in Camilla to face Mitchell County, and on Saturday at TCCHS. Cairo’s first home game of the season will be Tuesday, Dec. 8, against Worth County with the girls game beginning at 6 p.m.