The South Georgia State College Hawks swept both games of the B-Mac’s Christmas Classic this past weekend in Waycross to extend their current winning streak to five games. SGSC (10-3) defeated Denmark Tech 85-59 Friday night and edged Spartanburg Methodist College 76-72 Saturday afternoon.
In addition to the two wins, SGSC’s Carlos Hart has been named the GCAA’s Division I Men’s Basketball Player of the Week for the third time this season.
Hart led the Hawks in scoring against Denmark Tech with 19 points, four rebounds, four assists, and five steals. Jo Jo Bell and Jacob Crockett each had 10 points in the win, with Bell grabbing five rebounds. Keith Lamar finished with a game-high 15 rebounds.
The Hawks shot 42 percent from the three-point line and made 84.6 percent of their free throws. SGSC’s defense forced 36 turnovers and held Denmark Tech to 34.5 percent shooting from the field and only 17.6 percent from the three-point line.
Zae Wiggins led the Hawks with 22 points and seven assists against Spartanburg Methodist. Hart finished with 20 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Keith Lamar had 13 points and 11 rebounds.
SGSC and Spartanburg Methodist were tied 34-34 at halftime, and the game remained close in the second half. Rebounds and free throws proved to be the difference for the Hawks. SGSC out-rebounded Spartanburg Methodist 49-32 and shot 86.4 percent from the free throw line. Spartanburg Methodist made only 56.3 percent of its free throws.
Two players from each team were named to the All-B-Mac’s Classic Team: Enrique Clark and Elliot Yorke (Andrew College); Frankie Denard and Jalen Bing-Wallace (Denmark Tech); Carlos Hart and Keith Lamar (SGSC); and Harold Johnson and Sitony Diedhiou (Spartanburg Methodist).
Hart, a 6’6″ sophomore from Miami, Fla., averaged 18.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and four steals in wins last week over Florida State College-Jacksonville, Denmark Tech, and Spartanburg Methodist to receive his second Player of the Week honor.
The Hawks will enjoy the holiday break before returning to action Monday, Jan. 9, 2023 at 7 p.m. against North Florida Prep. SGSC opens its conference schedule Jan. 12 in Waycross against South Georgia Tech. Tip for the South Georgia Tech game is also set for 7 p.m.
General admission to all regular season home games is five dollars with children five and under admitted free.