JONESBORO — Fourthranked Jonesboro outclassed Ware County in a matchup of region champions here in the quarterfinals of the Class 4A tournament Wednesday.
The Region 1 champion Gators (26-4), ranked seventh by MaxPreps, had their 11-game winning streak snapped March 4 in the 62-31 loss to the Region 3 champion Cardinals (23-7), ranked fifth by MaxPreps, who stretched their winning streak to seven games.
Head coach Lenny Williams was trying to take the Gators to their first-ever Final Four. Jonesboro gets the berth for the fourth time since 2020 — all in the even years.
The matchup was the secondever between the two programs. The Cardinals dealt Ware County a 92-48 loss in the first round of the 2019 Class 5A state tournament. The 44-point loss is the largest by the Gators in their state tournament history.
Ware County’s 31 points is their fewest points scored since opening the 2022-23 season with a 60-31 loss to Glynn Academy — a span of 104 games. The Gators’ season-low this season was 51 in the season opener at Valdosta.
Jonesboro used its superior height advantage at every position to limit the Gators to many one-shot trips. They used their quickness and active hands to cut off passing lanes and contest every shot. At the offensive end of the court the Cardinals’ explosive first steps helped them get to the rim.
Ware County suffered from a cold shooting night. Many shots hit the side of rim coming up short.
The Cardinals blew the game open in the first eight minutes draining all five of their treys for the game en route to grabbing a 31-14 advantage. Jonesboro’s 6foot-8 freshman, whose court mannerisms mimmick future NBA Hall of Famer Kevin Durant, hit three scoring all nine of his points.
Ware County fell behind by 21 points midway through the second period at 37-18 on the first of two dunks in the period. Consecutive baskets by Davion Jones and Kevin Ramsey (teamhigh eight points apiece) closed the mark to 37-20.
Jonesboro closed out the half scoring the final four baskets to extend the lead out to 45-20.
The Gators forced a quick timeout early in the third period after a basket inside by Ramsey and the second trey from Isaiah White (six points) closing the deficit to 45-25.
Following the timeout, Jonesboro did not surrender another point. The Cardinals used a 120 run to close out the quarter highlighted by three consecutive dunks en route to opening up a 57-25 advantage.
A total of 11 points were scored during the six-minute, “mercy rule” final period. Jonesboro added one more dunk and had a 34-point advantage before Ware County made three free throws in the last minute.
Ja’Londi O’Hara was next on the Gators’ scoring list with four points. Masiyer McKoy and R.J. Munford contributed three points and two points respectively.
Jadarius Slaton led a trio of Jonesboro senior players in double figures scoring a gamehigh 16 points. Calvin Goss netted 14 points with Frank Jackson adding 12 points.
