By MICHAEL BOYLAN

Sports Editor

Thanksgiving tournaments give teams time to gel with each other before they enter the rigorous regular season. Some games your team will draw a weaker opponent from a smaller division and other games your team will draw a contender for a state championship. Either way, the experience is invaluable.

Both the McIntosh boys and girls basketball teams went 2-1 in their holiday tournament, both losing to Newton County. The girls saw some great play from Kim Schisler and Megan Jankowski and last years team leader in rebounds, Jessi Prahl, pulled in ten in the Lady Chiefs game against Mt. Zion. The boys were led by Michael Patrick, who looks to be the team's top scorer this season. Patrick had 27 points in the Chiefs first game against LaGrange. McIntosh opens the regular season at Sandy Creek.

The Fayette County Tigers had a productive holiday tournament as well. The girls went 2-1, losing to Collin's Hill, 61-44. Jessica Pritchett, the teams leading scorer and rebounder began to turn it on as the tournament went on, recording 16 points in their loss and 14 points against Riverdale. The boys went 1-2, but their second loss of the tournament was to McIntosh by a score of 52-50. The rivalry between the two schools promises to be intense this year. Jay Chapman came off the bench for the Tigers to lead the team in scoring in their last two games. The Tigers travel to LaGrange for their regular season opener.

The Starr's Mill boys went 1-2, while the girls went 0-3 in their first tournament as a varsity squad. The boys were led by Brandon Alexander, who netted 17 points in the Panthers game against top ranked Chattahoochee. The girlshad a tough time in their first varsity tournament but point guard Jamie Vining has played outstanding. She scored 14 points in the Lady Panthers loss to Buford while stealing the ball twice and getting three assists. Starr's Mill hosts Salem for their regular season home opener.

Both the Sandy Creek boys and girls teams are rebuilding this year. The girls had it tough in their tournament this year with losses to Lovejoy (43-37) and East Coweta (77-53). The key for the girls is to improve their shooting and their defense. The boys squad showed moments of athletic brilliance in their tournament, led by L.T. Lockett and Brian Coleman. The Patriots open their season at home against McIntosh.

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