WARNER ROBINS — Ware County’s Lady Gators will enter the Class 4A state tournament as the third seed from Region 1 following Friday’s victory over Perry in the region’s consolation game.
The third-seed Lady Gators (10-14) lost a third consecutive game Wednesday, February 11 in the semifinals falling 47-45 to second-seed Wayne County (14-9), who notched a fourth straight win.
Ware County split with the Lady Yellow Jackets during the regular season with each winning at home. The Lady Gators posted a 47-26 victory January 13 at home with Wayne County winning 45-39 January 27 in Jesup.
The Lady Gators bounced back to hand fourth-seed Perry (8-15) an eighth consecutive loss in the Friday, February 13 consolation matchup 44-39. The victory was the third of the season for Ware County over the Lady Panthers after notching a 46-36 home win January 9 and a 46-43 road victory January 23.
Tenth-ranked Warner Robins (22-3), the region top seed, doubled up Wayne County 60-30 in the championship game extending its winning streak to 11 game.
Ware County will enter the Class 4A state tournament as the third seed and travel to the Region 8 runner-up Tuesday, February 24. The Lady Gators will be joined on the road by Perry, who will play at the region champion.
Both the Lady Demons and Lady Yellow Jackets will open at home against Region 8’s fourth and third seeds respectively.
Semifinals Wayne County .................................47 Lady Gators.....................................45
Ware County’s struggles from the free throw line loomed large in the two-point loss to the Lady Yellow Jackets.
The Lady Gators struggled to shoot 2-for-9 (22 percent) in the third quarter and 2-for-10 (20%) in the second half finishing 8-of-20 (40%) for the game. Meanwhile, Wayne County connected on 12-of-19 (64%) for the game keeping the Lady Gators at bay making 8-of-10 (80%) in the final period.
The Yellow Jackets built a four-point advantage by the end of the first period at 14-10. Wayne County was able to extend the margin to six points by intermission outscoring the Lady Gators 12-10 for a 26-20 advantage.
Ware County chipped four points off the deficit in the third quarter with its struggles at the charity stripe outpointing the Lady Yellow Jackets 13-9 to climb to within 35-33. Each team scored 12 points over the final eight minutes.
Bailey Denton (three treys) was the only double-figure scorer for the Lady Gators scoring 15 of her game-high and career-high 23 points over the final two periods.
Lydia Munford (two treys) netted seven points with A’Treasure White contributing five points. Lauren Belle and Nevaeh Norton each bagged four points. Bre Hill chipped in two points.
The Lady Yellow Jackets were paced by the 13 points of Ametrius Everett (trey) and Jakeliah Fullmore’s 12 points.
Consolation Lady Gators.....................................44 Perry...............................................39
The Lady Gators overcame a five-point deficit over the final seven minutes outscoring Perry 15-5 to rally for the victory.
Ware County trailed 31-29 enter the The Lady Gators opened the second half scoring eight of the first nine points in the third period for its first lead of the game at 26-24 with 4:12 on the clock. The lead changed hands several times the rest of the way with the quarter ending with Perry on top by two points after being outscored 11-8.
The Lady Gators were in a 34-29 hole when they mounted one final push to the final buzzer. Denton helped push the comeback going 6-for-6 at the free throw line to score all six of her points. Munford (two treys) netted half of her 10 points in the final stanza.
Perry built a 9-2 lead in the first 4:23 of the opening period against the cold-shooting Lady Gators eventually settling for a 11-5 advantage. Ware County continued to chip away at the deficit getting as close as two points with the Lady Panthers stretching the margin back out 23-18 at intermission.
Norton (trey) led the Lady Gators with a game-high tying 11 points. Hill contributed nine points. Madisyn Daniels and Belle bagged three points each. Charmaine Farrell chipped in two points.
Perry was paced by the 11 points of Kameryn McKenzie (two treys) and 10 points by Alicia Mills.
