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Two-minute drill
Paladins put away rivals late, advance
sports-KevinMetz
Pinecrest’s Kevin Metz drives in for a layup against Holy Spirit Prep during the first round of the GISA-AAA Region Tournament on Tuesday in Sandy Springs. - photo by Submitted

Pinecrest Academy’s boys came through in the clutch, putting away rival Holy Spirit Prep 71–59 to advance to the second round of the GISA-AAA region tournament on Tuesday night in Sandy Springs.   

The Paladins’ lead was only five points late in the fourth period, but the team padded the cushion to 12 during the final two minutes of the game.

Joe Neiner was Pinecrest’s leading scorer with 15 points, while Bryce Haynes added 12 and  10 rebounds.  Freshman post John DePalma was in first-half foul trouble, but was critical to the Paladins’ fourth quarter play. 

DePalma scored eight of his 12 points in the final frame.   

Pinecrest has defeated Holy Spirit Prep nine consecutive times, including twice in the last four days.   

The Paladins are seeded fourth in the region and play No. 1 seed and tournament host Mount Vernon Presbyterian Thursday.

Head coach Andres Montana said his team needed to play calm in what was essentially a play-in game for the state tournament.   The top four teams from the region will earn a state tournament bid.From staff reports

Pinecrest Academy’s boys came through in the clutch, putting away rival Holy Spirit Prep 71–59 to advance to the second round of the GISA-AAA region tournament on Tuesday night in Sandy Springs.   

The Paladins’ lead was only five points late in the fourth period, but the team padded the cushion to 12 during the final two minutes of the game.

Joe Neiner was Pinecrest’s leading scorer with 15 points, while Bryce Haynes added 12 and  10 rebounds. Freshman post John DePalma was in first-half foul trouble, but was critical to the Paladins’ fourth quarter play. 

DePalma scored eight of his 12 points in the final frame.   

Pinecrest has defeated Holy Spirit Prep nine consecutive times, including twice in the last four days.   

The Paladins are seeded fourth in the region and play No. 1 seed and tournament host Mount Vernon Presbyterian Thursday.

Head coach Andres Montana said his team needed to play calm in what was essentially a play-in game for the state tournament.  The top four teams from the region will earn a state tournament bid.