The Pinecrest Academy Paladins defeated the Monsignor Donovan Rams of Athens 77-58, Dec. 14. Pinecrest senior guard and team captain Michael Metz led the team in scoring with 27 points. Forty-six of the team’s points, nearly 60 percent, came from points made inside the paint. Forward/center John Drapeau chipped in 10 points. Several players saw their first taste of action this season as the bench also contributed 27 points.

The following day, Dec. 15, featured a showdown between Pinecrest Academy, the number one ranked team in GISA (Georgia Independent Schools Association) Class AA and North Cobb Christian, the defending state champion and the number one ranked team in Class AAA. Pinecrest was outgunned on the road 89-51 as they suffered their first loss of the season. North Cobb Christian’s senior guard Justin Favors led all scorers with 24 points, including four 3-pointers. Dustin Ward, his teammate and fellow senior, added 23 points and shot a blistering 69 percent from the field. Ward signed a letter of intent to play for the University of Georgia. Michael Metz led Pinecrest in scoring once again with 22 points, followed by 6-foot-1 freshman guard Joe Neiner with 10 points. Pinecrest head coach Andres Montana said, “We have a lot of work to do, but I am proud of how hard we played against a tough opponent—this was good experience.”

Pinecrest travels to Macon, where they will play in the Christmas Holiday Tournament, hosted by First Presbyterian Day School, Dec. 27-29.