While most were enjoying the Thanksgiving break, the football team at St. Pius hosted a second round Georgia High School Association (GHSA) AAA playoff game. The Golden Lions, ranked No. 7 in the AAA poll, advanced to the quarterfinals for the second consecutive year and third time in four seasons. Boys' basketball and girls' basketball played in tournaments over the break.
Football defeated Hart County, the No. 3 seed from Region 8-AAA, 31-15. The Golden Lions (10-2) were led by Branden Mitchell’s touchdown and 141 yards rushing. Ryan Braswell added two scores and Dalton Wilson found pay dirt once. Thomas O’Leary booted a 44-yard field goal as St. Pius marched on in the state playoffs. Matt Pearson led the defense with 13 tackles while Quincy Nieporte chipped in with 11.
St. Pius will next host Region 3-AAA No. 2 seed, Washington County. Both teams dropped contests to No. 1 Thomson earlier this season, each school defeated Lovett.
Boys' basketball split games last week at the North Forsyth Tournament. After dropping a 48-36 decision to Duluth, St. Pius (2-1) bounced back with a win over Wesleyan. Kevin Lewis and Tyler Gee both scored 10 points in the 49-38 victory against the Wolves. The Golden Lions open the home season with West Hall Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m.
Girls' basketball, ranked No. 8 in the AAA poll, defeated two AAAAAA classification schools to finish in fifth place in the Parkview Classic. The Golden Lions (2-1) used 16 points from Laura Redmond and 15 points from Asia Durr to knock off Douglas County, 47-37, on Monday. The next night, Jasmine Carter poured in 24 points on 11-12 shooting to lead St. Pius to a 52-38 win over Coffee County. Durr added 13 in the win, while Redmond scored nine and grabbed seven rebounds. The lady cagers face West Hall Tuesday at 6pm in the home opener, before travelling to No. 2 North Gwinnett (AAAAAA) on Saturday at 1 p.m.
Wrestling opens its season on Nov. 27 at Norcross while swimming and diving opens the season Dec. 4 at 5 p.m. versus Dunwoody at Lakeside High School.