HARLEM — Ty Shine’s 35 points catapulted Harlem High School’s basketball team to a 80-61 AAA Region 4 Tournament quarterfinals win over Howard on Tuesday, Feb. 17.
This was the third time Harlem played Howard, defeating the Huskies 65-43, 91-45, and the quarterfinals game being the closest matchup at 80-61.
“All week long I told the team you cannot think they are going to come in and lay down and I think we did that in parts of the game looking towards Thursday,” said Harlem Coach Jeffrey Williams. Overall, we win and we advance, that is the main thing.”
Shine, a junior, scored 24 points in the first half of Tuesday’s quarterfinal matchup, converting on four 3-pointers early. Shine would tie senior teammate Jayden Futrell in the second half with 11 points as Futrell finished with 15 points. Junior AJ Williams was the second leading scorer in the game overall with 19 total points.
“AJ and Ty are very talented, but Jayden is an x-factor,” Williams said. “He can guard 1-5 and on the offensive end, he can shoot the three and get to the bucket. He is one of our most important players and he played really well tonight.”
The Bulldogs now advance to the semifinals of the region tournament where they will battle another familiar opponent in Cross Creek.
Unlike Howard, Cross Creek defeated Harlem in both of there two meetings by scores of 82-72 and 60-57.
“I am proud of the way we fought last time because now our kids know we can play with those guys,” Williams said. “If we go up there and clean up missing some of our defensive assignments and some of the 50/50 balls, it may go our way, so I’m looking forward to it.”
Cross Creek and Harlem will face off on Thursday, Feb. 19, at Baldwin High School. Tipoff will be at 8:30 p.m.
Sportswriter Christopher Rickerson is an Augusta University graduate who has covered area sports for publications including Augusta University‘s Bell Ringer, The Augusta Press and Augusta Good News. Subscribe to the Augusta Good News’ free weekly newsletter here.
