Girls: Putnam County 51, Model 42

In a showdown between two of the state's best sophomores, Rykia Pennamon and No. 6 Putnam County defeated Victaria Saxton and No. 4 Model 51-42 on Friday at Georgia College and are back in the state semifinals for the second time in three seasons.

The Lady Eagles (24-4) - a No. 1 seed from Region 4 -will play Holy Innocents on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at Georgia College for entry into the Class AA championship.

Putnam County represents the lone loss of the season the Lady Blue Devils (28-1), a No. 1 seed from Region 7.

Pennamon, a 5-foot-7 forward, led all scorers with 19 points and three steals. She helped to lead a second-half charge that allowed the Lady Eagles to overcome a deficit that swelled to as many as 13 points before halftime.

"We came out in the second half and played our game," Pennamon said.

The Lady Eagles trailed 29-17 at halftime before using the third quarter to chip away at the lead. They grabbed a 32-31 lead at the start of the fourth quarter, then took the lead for good on Lilquita Ellison's 3-pointer, making it 37-34 with 5:50 remaining.

A big reason the Lady Eagles were able to make a comeback was that Saxton was forced to sit long stretches of both halves due to foul trouble. While she was in the game, the 6-foot center was an undeniable force; blocking or altering shots, controlling the boards and leading the Lady Blue Devils offensively.

Her presence was affecting Putnam County, so Lady Eagles coach Jerusha Hudson devised a plan.

"We they saw (Saxton) blocking everything and taking over, it took them out of their game," Hudson said. "During halftime, I told them, 'take it too her. She's swatting at everything. Don't change your shot.'"

The plan worked. Saxton had picked up her third foul before halftime and drew No. 4 on the final play of the third quarter - a highly questionable call that left the Lady Blue Devils coach Sally Echols and her staff infuriated.

By the time Saxton re-entered the game with a little more than three minutes remaining, Model trailed 39-34. Saxton would later hit four consecutive free throws to bring Model to within 39-38 with 2:04 left, but never got any closer.

Ellison added 10 points and three steals for Putnam County and Ebony Hargrove notched a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.

Saxton was Model's lone double-digit scorer with 18 points.