ACWORTH, GA – The first round of the Mellow Mushroom bracket of the Wellstar Lake City Classic was anchored by one of the best games you’ll see in the state of Georgia this high school season. Three emphatic wins were also on the slate on Monday at Allatoona High School.

MCINTOSH OUTLASTS MILTON IN THRILLER

The opening round of the Lake City Classic featured a number of great matchups, none more highly anticipated than Milton-McIntosh. And it did not disappoint in the slightest.

Both teams threw their haymakers at one another and both teams fought through taking the other’s best shot.

The difference maker, however, was McIntosh senior point guard Will Washington. Washington was fantastic all game long, bringing the questions from everyone in the crowd into why he is being under recruited.

Washington carried McIntosh down the stretch and lifted them to a 74-68 win. He finished with 21 points and 4 assists. Furman signee Jordan Lyons added 22 points while Wofford signee Dishon Lowery had 18 points & 13 rebounds.

Milton had a couple standouts of their own in Alex O’Connell, who had 25 points in front of Bruce Pearl who was in to watch him, and Kyrin Galloway, who had an impressive 20 points. – Carter Wilson

INDIANS ROLL PAST LAMBERT

McEachern made quick work of undefeated Lambert on Monday night in the first round of action, storming out to a 15-2 first quarter lead. The Indians never relented and ran to a 73-37 win over the previously undefeated team.

McEachern (9-1) is rolling right now. The Powder Springs team has a nice mixture of experience, good guard play, size and promising young talent. Senior forward Bryce Smith led the way with 20 points and 10 rebounds.

Senior guard Darius Jones was great in transition, crashed the boards and passed the rock around well. Freshman Isaac Okoro added 11 points and was good on the glass, too. – Justin Young

GUARD PLAY LIFTS BERKMAR PAST EDGEWATER

Backcourt play is always a difference maker in the modern basketball landscape. In the opening round of the Lake City Classic, Berkmar’s guards carried them to a 58-46 win over Edgewater (FL).

Indiana commit and junior combo guard Al Durham proved that he can be a floor general, running his team very well and getting them into their offense. However, the big standout was junior Zac Cooks, who knocked down big shots and played very tough down the stretch.

Sophomore big man Robert Allen, who opened a lot of eyes and emerged as a high level collegiate prospect, led Edgewater with 21 points. Allen scored from all three levels of the floor and showed a lot of versatility at 6-foot-7. – CW

TOONA TRUMPS NORTH COBB CHRISTIAN

Just 15 minutes apart, Allatoona High School and North Cobb Christian players quite familiar with each other. They’ve ran in the same familiar circles for years. They play with and against each other on the travel circuit. Suffice it to say, there was pride on the line.

It didn’t take long for Allatoona to set the tone, opening the game with a 13-2 lead after the first quarter. The host team rolled past NCC 50-30 in the nightcap game of the LCC.

Sophomore guard Trey Doomes was sensational in the victory. Doomes scored at will around the rim, rebounded well and made passes with confidence and accuracy. The sophomore has played well all season long and earned an offer from Kennesaw State after the game.

Senior point guard Ephraim Tshimanga continued to captain the Buccaneers on both sides of the ball. He was good as a passer, rebounder and on the ball defender. One of the more intriguing storylines from the game was the play of senior big man Randy Legros. The 6-foot-7 post rebounded well and scored on a couple of paint possessions.

NCC could not find their rhythm at all throughout the entire game. - JY