Griffin High's Kevin Waldon (23) goes in for a layup Jan. 18 at The Hose during a game against Northside-Warner Robins.
Griffin (12-9 overall, 6-6 subregion), which was in a two-way tie for fourth place in the subregion standings with crosstown rival Spalding (8-10, 5-7) when the night started, moved into sole possession of fourth when it won and Spalding lost 72-46 at first-place Jonesboro.
Upson-Lee (9-10, 4-8), meanwhile, lost its second in a row to remain last in the six-team subregion.
The Knights, which were led by Kendarius Pennyman (18 points) and O'Qualon Harris (12) led 14-9 at the end of the first quarter. Griffin, however, managed to grab a 26-20 lead by the half.
Nonethless, Upson-Lee came battling back to tie the game 37-all heading into the fourth quarter where Griffin prevailed, outscoring the Knight 11-8 for the final margin. It was a one-point game until Griffin's Demaree Walker made a layup with :18 to play to give Griffin a 48-45 lead it held for the rest of the game.
Upson-Lee tried a three-point shot from the left baseline to tie it at the buzzer, but couldn't get it to fall as Griffin secured the rebound, the victory and the sweep.
Although it was a sweep for Griffin in subregion play against the Knights — Griffin topped Upson-Lee 69-65 on Jan. 8 in Thomaston — it was not a regular-season sweep. Upson-Lee won the first match between the two teams 63-58 on Dec. 22 in a Christmas Tournament at Lamar County High School in Barnesville.
Griffin looked to pick up another sweep and remain in sole possession of fourth place in the subregion Saturday night when it traveled to face crosstown rival Spalding in a late game. The Bears defeated Spalding 53-48 in a closely-contested game on Jan. 11 at Griffin High.
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