COVINGTON, Ga. -- Class AAA No. 2 Jenkins’ athleticism and 3-point shooting made the difference in its 61-52 win over Peach County in a Class AAA matchup in game two of the first annual Covington News Super 8 Showcase.

From the beginning of the game, Jenkins’ length and size was on full display, as the Warriors from Savannah started the game tossing alley-oops on offense and frustrating Peach County with its defensive pressure.

However, with the flare for the flashy play came occasional turnovers that halted Jenkins’ offensive attack. Overall, both teams struggled for an offensive identity early on,  and Jenkins led 14-6 at the end of one.

In the second, Peach County’s highly touted point guard Brice Paster led a Trojans charge. He, along with Giovanni Flournoy’s six second quarter points, helped Peach County slice the lead. On the other side, the Warriors were guided by the 3-point shooting of guard Sai Fisher. His three first half 3-pointers kept the Warriors on top by just two points at the half, 28-26.

The third quarter started much like the first, with a Jenkins run. This time, starting the half with a 10-2 spurt, the Warriors jumped ahead 38-28. The Trojans once again responded though as Paster, along with forward Alex Henton, stabilized the Peach County offense, and the lead was cut to 43-42 at the end of the third.

Into the 4th quarter, a quick Davion James three pointer gave Peach County’s first lead of the game and the comeback run had been completed. Jenkins coach Bakari Bryant preached staying poised in the wake of runs by opposing teams.

“(I) Just tell them to keep their composure and play within themselves,” Bryant said, “Our offense got sporadic at times, (but we) just keep preaching that we want to play 100 miles an hour, but under control.

This message carried the Warriors for the remainder of the game. Fisher and fellow guard Tre’ Mays made the necessary shots for Jenkins to get back ahead and stay ahead despite Peach County’s Paster putting on a scoring clinic, particularly in clutch moments.

As region play looms, Bryant said he’s thankful that the Covington News Super 8 Showcase allowed his team to see a potential future opponent a little early.

“It’s a good win playing a team like that that’s also in our classification,” Bryant said, “That could be a playoff matchup for us, so a win like that in a showcase like this was good for our young men.”