Lyons, GA. – January 2, 2025 | Head Coach Jared Goodwin | Article by Coach Terry Goodwin
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The Toombs County Bulldogs competed in the Paul Thigpen Christmas Tournament at Vidalia High School, showcasing resilience and determination over three games. Despite a challenging start, the Bulldogs bounced back to secure two strong victories, ending the week on a high note.
Game 1: Tough Loss to Tattnall County
On Thursday, Dec. 26, the Bulldogs faced Tattnall County, falling 59-46 in a hard-fought contest. The team showed promise despite the loss, with several standout performances:
- Mike Polke: 17 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 7 steals
- Parker Stanley: 12 points, 9 rebounds, 1 steal
- Cornelius “Junior” Bullard: 7 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 5 steals
- Tucker Braddy: 6 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals
- Cash Bland: 4 points, 2 rebounds
The loss moved the Bulldogs to 3-2 overall but left them optimistic for the rest of the tournament.
Game 2: Bulldogs Bounce Back Against Coffee County
On Friday, Dec. 27, the Bulldogs responded with an impressive 61-44 win over Coffee County. The team played exceptionally well for three quarters, building a commanding 52-33 lead heading into the fourth and managing the game effectively to secure the win.
Key contributors included:
- Mike Polke: 19 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals
- Parker Stanley: 17 points, 9 rebounds, 1 block
- Cornelius “Junior” Bullard: 9 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals
- Tucker Braddy: 6 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist
- Maurice Oglesby: 4 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block
Junior Bullard earned special praise for his relentless hustle, a testament to his work ethic and commitment to the team.
With the win, Toombs improved to 4-2 overall and maintained their 1-0 region record.
Game 3: Defensive Grind Over Paxon (FL)
On Saturday, Dec. 28, Toombs County closed out the tournament with a gritty 37-28 victory against Paxon High School from Jacksonville, FL. The Bulldogs leaned on a strong defensive effort in the second half to seal the win.
Notable performances:
- Parker Stanley: 15 points
- Mike Polke: 13 points
- Tucker Braddy: 6 points
The Bulldogs ended the week 5-2 overall and carried momentum heading into their next game.
Looking Ahead
The Bulldogs will return to the court at home on Jan. 2 to face Montgomery County. With their balanced attack and tenacious defense, the Bulldogs are poised for continued success as they gear up for more region play.
Come out and support your Bulldogs as they build on their strong showing in the tournament!
