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New Hampstead sweeps South Effingham
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South Effingham's Mallori Jenkins prepares to fire a pass to Cianne Trenary, who is breaking to the basket in Tuesday's game against New Hampstead. - photo by Mark Lastinger/staff

GUYTON -- New Hampstead, led by guards Valery Colon and Veana Price, carved up South Effingham in the closing stretch of their girls basketball game Tuesday night.

Colon and Price sliced and diced their way to the basket repeatedly in the fourth quarter, combining for 15 of the Lady Phoenix's final 16 points in a 50-44 victory.

The teams went toe to toe for 3 1/2 periods before the guards' offensive outburst. The Lady Mustangs trailed just 28-27 at halftime and 34-32 heading into the final eight minutes.

With a 6:16 left, Kiera NeSmith hit one of two free throws to cut the gap to 34-33 but Colon answered with successive driving layups to give the Lady Phoenix some breathing room.

South Effingham trailed by at least five points in the last 4:29.

Colon and Price finished with 18 and nine points, respectively.

Maleece Newbill, who was fierce on the offensive glass, paced the Lady Mustangs with 18 points. Mallori Jenkins and NeSmith each tallied seven.

In the boys game, New Hampstead rolled to a 40-16 halftime lead and settled for a 60-26 victory.

Ten players scored for the Phoenix, led by Dontavian Leach. He scored nine points and a trio of New Hampstead players contributed eight.

Ross Freeman led the Mustangs with seven points.