ACWORTH, GA -- The Wellstar Lake City Classic tipped off on Saturday at Allatoona High School and the storyline of the day was all about that size with complimenting guards that can score.

WILEY, JOHNSON PACE SPAIN PARK

Eight minutes into the Spain Park (AL) game, and it was evident that Austin Wiley was going to be a problem on the glass. The class of 2017 big man grabbed 10 rebounds and scored eight points in the first quarter, setting the tone for what was a long day in the paint for Fayette County (GA).

Wiley and Spain Park brought home a 76-68 win. The 6-foot-10 sophomore was absolutely dominant in the victory. Wiley finished with 19 points and 21 rebounds. It will be interesting to see Wiley for two more games here at the LCC. He's playing like one of the true elite players in the country (and he is) but where does he stack up with his peers across the country? This outing was a good one to build on moving forward into early next week.

Jamal Johnson, another impressive sophomore for Spain Park, finished with a game-high 26 points all the while ripping down seven rebounds and collected three steals. Johnson was the best guard in the building on Saturday and has the skill set to be in the conversation with the 35 best players in the class of 2017 nationally.

Senior Isaac Kellum finished with 20 and junior Jamon Bivens added 18 for Fayette County. The two guards were good in the defeat. We're looking forward to seeing more of them moving forward at the LCC, too.

TRI-CITIES DOWNS CARROLLTON

The old saying is “you live by the three, you die by the three”. The former was the case today in the first round of the Lake City Classic for Tri Cities.

This afternoon, the Bulldogs connected on nine triples as a team in their 67-59 win over Carrollton, all seemingly coming at opportune times.

The leader of the perimeter shooting was senior guard Michael Hanson, who finished with 17 points, including 5 threes, three of which came within a stretch of 2 minutes that Tri Cities used to extend their lead.

Also of note for Tri Cities was senior guard Josh Brooks, who chipped in with 15 points and ran a solid show at the point.

HILLGROVE'S GUARD PLAY EARNS WIN

In the first round round of the Lake City Classic, Hillgrove found themselves matched up in a style clash with AC Flora out of Columbia, SC.

The story of the game was Hillgrove’s backcourt of Jordan Julian, Collin Sexton, and Antonio Wade against the frontcourt of AC Flora, which features Middle Tennessee commit Karl Gamble and Division I prospect James Murray-Boyles.

Despite Gamble and Murray-Boyles playing very well for AC Flora, it was the combination of Collin Sexton and Jordan Julian that proved to be the difference maker in the game.

The backcourt duo combined for 48 points, much of which came in the second half, a half in which Hillgrove dominated the play.

Sexton got to the rim at ease and got himself out in transition for some easy baskets. Julian played a more perimeter-oriented game, hitting shots from three and pull up jumpers from inside the arc.

Together, they helped Hillgrove to a 69-57 win over AC Flora, and got the Hawks into the second round of the Lake City Classic, where they will meet up with another great backcourt in McIntosh.

WHITEFIELD ROLLS IN CLASSIC STYLE

Over the years, Whitefield Academy has been known for their hard-nosed style of basketball that results in a lot of hard fought games.

The first round of the Lake City Classic was no different, where they defeated a good South Miami team 63-52.

Unsigned senior forward Courtney Alexander was the player of the game for Whitefield, as he put in arguably his best performance of the season pouring in 20 points and grabbing 16 rebounds.

However, Whitefield stuck to its classic style of play, and won playing their tough man-to-man defense. South Miami never got in a rhythm offensively due to Whitefield causing all kinds of havoc, and Whitefield also generated some easy baskets from that defense.

This one was definitely won in that same style of play that the Wolfpack has come to be known to play. Whitefield advanced to the second round of the Lake City Classic, where they will take on host team Allatoona.

BIG SECOND HALF PUSHES NCC THROUGH

North Cobb Christian junior guard Nicholas Flemming got hot in the third quarter, going for 11 points in the eight minute span. His perimeter touch was the difference maker in NCC's hard-fought win over

Flemming finished with 22 points and four made three-pointers.

Sophomore big man Will Crumley hit a three-pointer to give NCC a four-point lead and a go-ahead cushion with 4:30 to play in the fourth. The cushion was what the Eagles needed to maintain the lead over Pleasure Ridge.

Future Chattanooga big man Trey Kalina played well in front of his future head coach Will Wade, scoring 16 points, grabbing 11 rebounds and blocking five shots.

MCINTOSH HOLDS OFF PESKY ORANGE

Intense. That's the best way to describe the way Peachtree City (GA) McIntosh and Hillsborough (NC) Orange game. The contest was back-and-forth, physical and highly competitive. McIntosh, one of Georgia's best teams this season so far, had a challenge in the opening round of the SmileGeneration.com bracket with Orange.

Dishon Lowery was as strong as a player there was on opening day. The 6-foot-6 junior power forward aggressively attacked the rim as a rebounder and gave the Chiefs an element of physicality in the rough-and-tumble game.

Lowery finished with 15 points and 14 rebounds. Junior guard Jordan Lyons led the way with 26 points in the McIntosh win. In a game where his trademark jumper wasn't falling, Lyons put the ball on the floor and was effective with the drive to the cup.

FAMILIAR 1-2 PUNCH LEADS POPE

Chase Hutchins and Garrick DeBowles combined for 46 points as Pope took care of business and beat Harrison in the opening round of the Superior Plumbing bracket of the Lake City Classic on Saturday night.

That's been the story all season long for the undefeated Greyhounds. DeBowles, a bouncy 6-foot-4 forward who has signed with Embry-Riddle, was fantastic to start the game and made it a point to attack the rim.

He finished with a loud 23 points and played well as a rim-protector.

Hutchins was in straight scorer's mode in this one. The Georgia College signee had a heat seeking radar on the rim and attacked time and time again. Hutchins was also good on the glass, ripping down 13 rebounds.

SCOREBOARD

North Cobb Christian (GA) 54, Pleasure Ridge Park (KY) 46
McIntosh (GA) 66, Orange (NC) 59
Spain Park (AL) 76, Fayette County (GA) 68
Hillgrove (GA) 69, AC Flora (SC) 57
Tri-Cities (GA) 67, Carrollton (GA) 59
Whitefield Academy (GA) 63, South Miami (FL) 52
Pope (GA) 72, Harrison (GA) 58
Allatoona (GA) 65, North Cobb (GA) 52­

ON TAP

Monday, Dec. 29
10 a.m.: Pleasure Ridge (KY) vs. Fayette Co. (GA)
11:30 a.m.: Orange (NC) vs. AC Flora (SC)
1:00 p.m.: Carrollton (GA) vs. Harrison (GA)
2:30 p.m.: South Miami (FL) vs. North Cobb (GA)
4:00 p.m.: North Cobb Christian (GA) vs. Spain Park (AL)
5:30 p.m.: McIntosh (GA) vs. Hillgrove (GA)
7:00 p.m.: Tri-Cities (GA) vs. Pope (GA)
8:30 p.m.: Whitefield Academy (GA) vs. Allatoona (GA)