Back-to-back region wins have the Commerce Tigers pumped for a three-game week.
After last week’s victories over Towns County and Hebron Christian, the Tigers were looking for a third region win on Tuesday against Tallulah Falls.
Scores were unavailable at press time from Tuesday’s game.
Friday night, the home section of the Tiger gym should be packed as Commerce hosts cross-river rival Jefferson. The Jefferson Dragons carried December’s game 58-46. Since that game, the Tigers believe they have improved on the court.
“Jefferson is not a region game but our kids will be up for it,” said Bridges. “I fully expect our kids to play their hardest.”
The rivalry game starts after the girls’ game at 7:00 p.m.
On Saturday, Commerce rides down to Social Circle.
“Social Circle is one of the four teams in front of us in the region right now,” Bridges said. “Anytime we have a chance to play one of them, we have to play well and see if we can come away with a win.”
The Social Circle games start at 4:00 p.m. with the Lady Tigers against the Lady Redskins, with the boys game to follow.
Last week, after a rescheduling due to weather, Commerce made the trip to Towns County and brought home a 68-60 win. The eight-point victory came after the Tigers dominated the first half.
“We were able to score pretty much as we wanted to in the first half,” said Coach Chad Bridges.
At the end of the first quarter, Commerce led 19-12. By the end of the half, the Tigers remained in command, 41-27.
During the second half, Commerce hit a patch of bad shots and Towns County gained ground. Commerce still led by 14 at the end of the third quarter, but Towns County was not going down quietly. In the final quarter, Towns County’s offense came together to pick up 20 points outscoring the Tigers’ 14 points.
The early lead for Commerce paid off, as the Tigers held onto an eight-point advantage for the win.
Leading the Tigers’ charge was Cameron Billings scoring 17 points and shooting nine of 10 from the line. Drake Cash added 10, followed by T. Green and Torrance Wilcher each scoring nine. Brandon Romans put up eight points with Anthony Norris scoring six and Bubba Bonds adding three. Channing Anderson, Tyler Gamble and Deon Orsborne contributed two apiece.
Commerce continued its strong play against Hebron Christian on Friday, spoiling Hebron’s homecoming by taking a 61-54 win. Bridges said that Hebron played as well as he’s seen them play.
Hebron matched Commerce at 12 after one period, then. Commerce eased ahead during the second quarter and ended the half with a two-point lead, 30-28. The third quarter was a low-scoring affair as the Tigers picked up nine points and Hebron added 10. A strong Commerce defense and handling of the Hebron press allowed Commerce to eventually pull away for the win. In the final eight minutes Hebron picked up 16 points but the Tigers scored 22 points to take the 61-54 win.
Cash led Commerce’s charge, putting 16 points on the board, followed by Norris with 13. Billings and Romans added seven apiece followed by Anderson with six. Bonds put in five points with Wilcher adding four and Green picking up three.
