Before the season began, Fayette County coach Andre Flynn said he knew his team would pressure the opposition with a heavy dose of perimeter offense.

His instincts were spot on. The Tigers used a rapid fire three-point attack to put away a long Columbus Northside team in the opening game of the Sandy Creek Shootout with a score of 68-53. It was quite a turn-around after going into the locker room down 26-20 at halftime.

The comeback was a balance of perimeter shots and pressure defense. Senior guard C.J. Johnson said the reason for his team's slow start in the first half was simple actually.

"I think you can call that first game jitters," Johnson said. "But when we were able to get some shots set up, we were good."

Indeed they were. James Madison bound wing Dante Sterling scored 23 of his 25 points in the second half, including four three-pointers. The 6-foot-5 wing finished added five rebounds, five steals and four assists.

As a team, the Tigers hit eight second half three-pointers. Johnson hit pair en route to 17 points, six rebounds and four assists.

"We can hit shots," Johnson said. "We play to hit threes and when we hit them, it makes teams come out on us more and that let's us get to the basket."

Chaz Berry, another long senior on the perimeter, added 15 points in the victory.

Fayette County had its hands full with Northside sophomore big man Davion Thomas. The 6-foot-8 post scored 25 points and hit four three-pointers in the defeat. He also grabbed nine rebounds.

Thomas was the most impressive prospect in the Sandy Creek gym on Saturday. Offensively, he was knocking down shots with ease and as a rebounder, he was effortless above the rim. Overall, it was a good game from the Georgia's top sophomore big man.