Basketball Recap: Xavier Burkes Jr.'s Big Game Can't Quite Lead Thomasville over Fitzgerald

Thomasville was the 67-43 winner over Fitzgerald when they last played one another back in January of 2022, but their luck changed this time around. The Thomasville Bulldogs fell 59-52 to the Fitzgerald Purple Hurricane on Saturday.

Several Bulldogs players turned in solid performances despite ultimately coming up short. Perhaps the best among those players was Xavier Burkes Jr., who went 9 of 15 en route to 23 points and eight rebounds. That's the most points Burkes Jr. has posted since back in February of 2024. The team also got some help courtesy of Major Mitchell, who went 5 for 9 on his way to 12 points.

Thomasville has been struggling recently as they've lost three of their last four games, which put a noticeable dent in their 9-6 record this season. As for Fitzgerald, their record is now 11-3.

Both teams will have to hit the road in their upcoming games. Thomasville will head out to challenge Worth County at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Worth County knows how to get points on the board -- the squad has finished with 55 points or more in their past five matches -- so hopefully Thomasville likes a good challenge. As for Fitzgerald, they will head out on the road to take on Berrien at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Fitzgerald is facing Berrien at the right time seeing as Berrien is stuck on a six-game losing streak.