Published Saturday, November 21, 2009

Hawks fight but fall to Dawson St.

The Newnan Times-Herald

The Heritage School boys basketball team battled back from a 10-point halftime deficit on Friday before running out of time in a 71-67 loss to Dawson Street, a Final Four team in GISA's Class A last season.

Despite falling to 0-2, Hawks head coach Philip Miles liked his team's intensity, especially in the third quarter, when Heritage outscored Dawson Street 22-18 to close to within seven points. A late 3-pointer coming off Hawks turnover had turned an earlier seven-point deficit into a 10--point margin at the break.

"That was a big play right there," said Miles. "I was proud of our effort. I thought we played hard."

Heritage was forced to battle a 6-foot-6, 250-pound post player in the paint who generated 25 points of Dawson Street's offense. Kyle Kimsey offset that effort with a 26-point performance, nine of which came in the fourth quarter.

Seth Bonner also helped carry the Hawks down the stretch with 11 points, including three 3-pointers in the final period. Heritage came as close as four points several times, taking advantage of Dawson Street's poor foul shooting. But the Hawks equally struggled from the line, hitting 11 of their 23 opportunities.

Heritage continues a busy early season schedule on Monday, hosting Calvary on Monday starting at 5:30 p.m.

IN OTHER VARSITY BASKETBALL ACTION ON FRIDAY:

EXCEL CHRISTIAN GIRLS 43, LANDMARK CHRISTIAN 28: The Lady War Eagles opened the season at home in Fairburn against a 2-0 Excel lineup led by Danielle Jackson's 14 points. The visitors took advantage of Landmark's early foul trouble for a 22-6 halftime lead before being outscored 22-21 in the second half.

"I was very pleased of how we played hard the entire game," said Landmark coach Brett Nastasi. "These girls gave some tremendous effort."

Santricia Hight led the Lady War Eagles with 14 points and added six rebounds. Kierstin Cusumano has seven rebounds to lead Landmark, which is off until a Dec. 1 trip to Mt. Paran.