The only suspense for Columbus High School’s boys basketball team on Tuesday night wasn’t if the Falcons would hit the century mark against West Lowndes, but who would put them into triple figures.

It turned out to be sophomore Joshua Smith, who drove the lane with just over a minute left in the game for the basket that gave the home team 101 points, the first time this season the Falcons have broken 100 points. 

In the end, the Falcons defeated the visiting Panthers 105-62, a nice tuneup before a big region showdown with New Hope on Friday night.

“I was trying my best not to get to it,” Falcons coach Phillip Morris said of the 100-point mark. “I put some of my younger guys in, tried to mellow it out a little bit … but when they get a chance to play a varsity game, I can’t tell them to not play.”

All but two of the Falcons’ 23 fourth-quarter points were scored by reserves, but the outcome was never in doubt. Behind 10 points from junior Jakele Phillips, Columbus roared to a 26-11 lead after the first quarter.

The Falcons passed the ball well from the start, highlighted by senior J.J. Williams’ nifty backward tap under the basket to sophomore Jayden Tatum, with Phillips putting back the missed layup for a 21-4 lead. Williams got the assist a bit later with a great pass to Phillips for an easy bucket, and the Falcons pushed the ball effectively throughout the game.

Sometimes it was a one-man operation. One of the best plays of the night came when Tatum blocked a shot near the foul line, controlled the ball, dribbled up the floor and swished a 3-pointer for a 42-18 bulge midway through the second quarter.

Having players who can shoot the ball themselves or find the open man is what makes the Falcons so tough to guard, Morris said. 

“That’s what we’re all about,” he said. “We’ve got a good, balanced team. We don’t have one superstar type of guy.”

Tatum led the way with 31 points against the Panthers, including 15 during the second quarter. He was joined in double figures by Phillips (21), Trey Dismuke (18) and Williams (10) on a night when Columbus played without two regular starters.

“We’ve got some young guys who have stepped up,” Morris said. “Jayden Tatum and Jeremiah Aaron have been giving us some good minutes as sophomores. Jakele Phillips, he had a big night tonight, made a lot of shots, had a big dunk.” 

While contributions from younger players would give any program a boost, Morris said their development was in line with his expectations.

“They put in a lot of work in the offseason,” he said. “Those guys are pretty committed to being in the gym, that type of thing, so it wasn’t a surprise to me.”

Jakiren Wilbon led the way for West Lowndes (6-11) with 14 points, while Elijah Johnson and Fredrick Rice each totaled 10. 

The Falcons (14-6) return to Class 5A, Region 1 play Friday night when New Hope (13-2) visits. Columbus moved to 2-1 in region play with a forfeit victory over West Point last week, and the Trojans, 3-0 in 5A-1, defeated the Falcons 53-50 on Jan. 7 at New Hope.

“We’ve got a big one Friday against New Hope at home,” Morris said. “It’ll be a packed house. We’re looking forward to a good game. We’ll come ready to play.”