By Chris Sokoloski

csokoloski@gtowntimes.com

Georgetown High's boys basketball team outscored Waccamaw High 31-10 in the second half en route to 52-29 victory.

"I thought we played well, especially defensively," Georgetown coach Alvin Walker said. "We shot the ball and executed our offense better" in the second half.

The Bulldogs and Warriors traded baskets in the first half, with Georgetown leading 12-11 at the end of the first quarter and 21-19 at the half.

But Georgetown came out strong in the third quarter and held the Warriors to six points in the third quarter and four points in the fourth.

"They were picking holes in our zone but our guys adjusted," Walker said. "Our emphasis was coming out and playing well in the first four minutes of the third quarter."

While the Bulldogs were hot-handed from the floor, they were cold from the charity stripe, making only six of 19 free throws.

"If we're going to be a good team we're going to have shoot free throws better," Walker said.

Marquise Bessellieu led Georgetown with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Tevin Johnson had 10 points and six rebounds; Justin Wright and A.J. Walker had eight points each; and Anthony Blair and Aiswan Nelson each grabbed eight rebounds.

A.J. Grant led Waccamaw with 12 points. Noah Gulley added eight points and Blake Dwyer had five.

Georgetown was coming off a 63-62 loss to Cane Bay in the Hemingway holiday tournament last week.

The Bulldogs had a double-digit lead at halftime but couldn't hold it.

"We will have to learn how to put teams away before region play begins," coach Walker said. "I believe this loss will help us in the future, letting us know we still have a lot of work to do to have a successful season."

Blair led Georgetown with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Johnson had 13 points and four assists; A.J. Walker had 12 points and four assists; and Wright had nine points.

"There are things we're still trying to get better at," Walker said.

The coach said every Region VIII-AAA team looks competitive, which should leave the region "wide open."

St. James handed an undermanned Andrews squad its seventh straight loss.

The Yellow Jackets only dressed eight players for the game.

Andrews outscored the Sharks in the second and third quarters, but were held in single digits in the fourth for the 65-47 final.

In the last three weeks Andrews coach Kevin Branham has had to juggle his lineup as he deals with the absence of nearly half his team due to illnesses, suspensions, injuries and other factors.

Andrews lost three games at the Bi-Lo Holiday Classic last week.

In game one, Andrews lost 63-43 to Savannah.

Monte McCrea led the Yellow Jackets with 15 points and eight rebounds. Travis Collins has nine points and seven rebounds, Keon Williams had seven points, and Rodquel Davis had six points and eight rebounds.

In game two, Andrews lost 67-51 to Greenbrier. The Yellow Jackets battled back from a 17-point deficit, but were unable to take a lead.

McCrea led Andrews with 15 points and 16 rebounds. Davis had 11 points and five rebounds, Collins has nine points and seven rebounds, Williams had six points and five rebounds.

In game three, Andrews lost 51-50 to Hephzibah. The Yellow Jackets led for the entire game, but Hephzibah got the game winner with 14 seconds left.

Collins led Andrews with 21 points and 11 rebounds. McCrea had 12 points and five rebounds, Ervin Heard had eight points and five rebounds, and D.J. Lawrence had five rebounds.

"Travis has once again become the offensive threat he was last year," Branham said. "And D.J. has continued to be a role player contributing key three-point shooting during many of the games as well as playing outstanding defense."

Carvers Bay (7-6) opened region play with a 73-35 win over Lake View.

Da'Shawn led the Bears with 22 points. Teondre Bromell had 20 points and Rayshad Dorsey had seven.

Georgetown's Anthony Blair was named one of the Coastal Basketball Coaches Association's "Fabulous Five" for the week of Dec. 26.

Fellow Bulldog Tevin Johnson and Carvers Bay's Teondre Bromell were honored for the week of Dec. 19.