Movin' On Up
Bears advance in region playoffs
By Anne Marie Kyzer annemariek@thetruecitizen.com

DeVonda Lewis led the Bears Monday night with 18 points, including 11 from the foul line.

The Bears didn't let the season end Monday night.

The Burke County High School boys team (14-8) knocked off Harlem High School 66-38 in the first round of the Region 3-AAA playoffs.

The win moves the Bears on to the second round Wednesday night, when they'll face Thomson High School at 7 p.m. Thomson is ranked second in the north sub-region.

Burke County held a steady lead over Harlem Monday night and were up 29-18 at the half.

By the end of the third quarter they were up by 13 points and stretched that lead to 18 in the fourth.

Coach Purvis Dukes said he had challenged several of his players to lead by example Monday night, and they did just that. Four Bears posted double-digits in the win.

Senior DeVonda Lewis played an aggressive game and led the Bears with 18 points. The Bulldogs hurt themselves by fouling Lewis several times. He was 11-13 from the free-throw line.

Junior Bobby Burum stepped up and scored 15 points, hitting 2 three-pointers. Senior Mack Golden tacked on another 11 points, and senior Maurice Doyle added 10.

Dukes said his players came out nervous but soon found their groove.

"We're pleased with the win and their effort, but it doesn't stop here," he said after the game. "Thomson has a good basketball team."

REGION PLAYOFFS: ROUND 2

Burke County vs. Thomson 7 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 13

BCHS gymnasium For results and photos from play-off games, visit www.thetruecitizen.com