By Chris Sokoloski

csokoloski@gtowntimes.com

Georgetown High's boys basketball team got a boost going into region play with a 51-34 win over Andrews on Friday night.

The Bulldogs host Socastee tonight in the Region VIII-AAA opener.

"I think we still need to play pretty good defense until our offense picks up a little," Georgetown coach Alvin Walker said.

Georgetown led Andrews 14-7 at the end of the first half on Friday, but the Yellow Jackets rallied cut the Bulldogs' lead to 19-15 at halftime.

Both teams went cold offensively in the third quarter and Georgetown took a 28-20 lead into the fourth, where they dominated and secured the 51-34 win.

"I'll take an ugly win any day," Walker said. "I thought we left some baskets out there that we had to have."

It was the eighth straight loss for Andrews, which has been struggling in the last month with injuries, suspensions and other issues. The Yellow Jackets dressed only nine guys for the game.

"I've got to have five guys that I can depend on, five that want to play with heart and five that want to give every ounce in their body," Andrews coach Kevin Branham said. "We've got to have some guys that are willing to step up."

Tevin Johnson led the Bulldogs with 19 points. A.J. Walker had 12 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists; Marquise Bessellieu had five points and 13 rebounds; Justin Wright had six points; and Charlie McGirt had five points.

Georgetown's girls stayed undefeated with a 55-36 win over Andrews on Tuesday night.

It was a far cry from the 70-19 thrashing the Bulldogs put on the Yellow Jackets in December.

"Andrews had a decent plan for the second time around," Georgetown coach Tony Ford said. "They came out like I expected. They came out strong."

Georgetown led 12-9 at the end of the first quarter but Andrews rallied and the game was tied 21-21 at the half.

"I gave [my players] a pep talk and got in their faces a little bit and they came out" in the second half, Ford said. "I told them 'I'm going to see what you're made of.' "

Ford changed his pressure defense in the second half and the Bulldogs pulled away.

Raven Smith led Georgetown with 15 points and four steals. Justis Evans had 10 points and 15 rebounds and Taziya Moody had 10 points and five steals.

Georgetown (8-0) opens region play hosting Socastee tonight, and then travels to St. James on Friday.

Andrews travels to Kingstree on Tuesday and hosts Timberland on Friday.

Around the county

Carvers Bay's boys beat Hemingway 54-50 on Friday to improve to 8-6 on the season.

Teondre Bromell led the Bears with 17 points. Da'Shawn Aiken had 16 points, Rayshod Pittman had six and Lashon Morris had five.

The Lady Bears fell 42-33 to the Lady Tigers.