The Commerce Tigers moved forward in the post-season last week, advancing to state tournament play after besting Social Circle to take third in the region 8A tournament and earn a berth at state. Their bid for a second straight region title ended with a loss to Athens Christian. The Tigers are currently 19-6 overall and 12-2 in region play (including the tournament). Athens Christian beat George Walton Academy 65-63 in overtime for the tournament title.
Now the Tigers’ attention turns to the state tournament, as they were scheduled to host Landmark Christian on Tuesday night. Results were unavailable at press time.
Landmark Christian comes to town off of a 56-52 loss in the third-place game in the region 9-A tournament to Eagles Landing. The War Eagles went 6-3 in the region and 17-10 overall.
The winner of the matchup travels to North Cobb Christian for second-round play on Saturday.
Social Circle
The Tigers opened region tournament play Feb. 15 by hosting the Social Circle Redskins.
They got off to a slow start but by the end of the first period had rallied to take a 13-11 lead, which they extended to 22-13 at the half. They maintained a 40-32 lead after three periods to win easily, 67-42.
The Tigers got a little help from an unexpected source. With just over a minute left in the game, Social Circle senior Randy Paulus, apparently disoriented by Commerce’s high scoring rate, suddenly broke down the court in the wrong direction and scored a basket for Commerce.
Tyler Gamble led Commerce in scoring with 16 points, followed by Brandon Romans with 15. Anthony Norris had nine points, seven assists, six rebounds and four steals, Thomas McMillan contributed eight points and six rebounds, Channing Anderson had five points and six rebounds and Bubba Bonds had five points. Marquese Butler scored four, Jonathan Book three and Chase Klugh two.
Athens Christian
Up next was a pairing with Athens Christian in the semifinal round.
Commerce asserted itself early, taking a early 29-19 lead at the end of the first quarter. Athens Christian roared back to close the gap to 34-31 at the half, but Commerce poured on the points in the third quarter to take a 54-46 lead. Unfortunately for Tiger fans, Athens Christian outscored the Tigers 24-11 over the final eight minutes to win the game 70-65.
Gamble led the Tigers with 17 points, followed by Anderson with 14, Bonds with 12, Romans (eight), McMillan (six – with nine rebounds) and Norris (eight points and seven assists).
Athens Academy
The loss sent Commerce to the third-place game, where they faced Athens Academy.
The game was close from the onset, with Athens Academy leading 13-12 after one period and 24-24 at the half. A 14-7 run by Commerce in the third put the Tigers up 35-31 after three periods, and the Tigers took care of business in the fourth to win 57-41.
For more on this story, see Wednesday's edition of The Commerce News.
