Georgia Highlands Has No Answers for No. 5 Chipola
Rome, GA – In their worst performance at home in program history, the Chargers were no match for the Indians. Georgia Highlands first year of NJCAA men’s basketball competition was in the 2012-13 season, a year they went winless. Their first game ever was also their worst loss in program history, a 40 point set back at East Mississippi CC, 97-57.
The next year, GHC went 16-16. From that point, the Chargers have become a team to be reckoned with, not only in Region 8, but nationally as well. Back to back to back appearances at Hutch, including a final four appearance in the team’s first winning season, the third of their existence, has made people take notice of what’s going on in Rome.
Chipola (5-1), a final four participant last season, was on a two game win streak since their only loss to Eastern Florida State on the half court buzzer beater. The Indians, started slow, but eventually turned up the heat, scoring the most points in the Donnie Tyndall era, 102. Granted it’s only his second season at Chipola, but still. The previous milestone was 91, so up 50-27 at half, they were well on their way. But you still have to execute.
And execute they did. If shooting 59/36/100 % during the first twenty minutes wasn’t enough. Add in a 69% FG clip in the second, the outcome was academic. Georgia Highlands was strong out of the gate in the final period, with a run of 21-10, the Chargers cut the lead down to 12, 60-48, with 12:35 to go. After that, Chipola hit the turbo button to put an end to any GHC comeback. Taking their biggest lead at game’s end as the Indians cruised to a 102-64 road conquest. The home team could only muster 1 point over the final 4:45.
Georgia Highlands, now 3-2, were just as off target as the Indians were on. The Chargers came into the game only shooting 39% from the field, including 25% from three point land. Looking back, the Chargers would’ve taken those numbers today, although, if you do the math, the end result would’ve been the same.
As bad as the offensive efficiency was, the defense wasn’t much better. Chipola seemed to have no trouble getting the ball inside, finishing with a 48-16 advantage on points in the paint.
Overall, the Indians made nearly twice as many FGs as the Highlands (35-18) including six more threes, where the Chargers were on life support, 3-27 (11%).
Jayvis Harvey led three in double figures for Georgia, he finished with 17 and 9 boards. TJ Dalton added twelve points. Christian Jackson came from the bench to give ten. Horton was team lead with 3 helpers and 4 takeaways.
The combo of Nae’kwan Tomlin and Faizon Fields tallied 22 and 21 respectively for the Indians. Fields also had 6 rebounds, just behind team high Carlos Lemus’ 7. Shayeon Davis put in 17 and John Wilson 13, both as reserves. Davis is the team’s second leading scorer.
Chipola returns home next Saturday to face Southern Union State CC.
Georgia Highlands has their plate full next week. They will spend Thanksgiving in Bradenton to play three games in the State College of Florida Thanksgiving Classic. In order, the Chargers will see #24 Indian River, the hosts Manatees, and then finish with #4 Eastern Florida State.
