HAZELHURST — Ware County’s Lady Gators tipped off their 2025-26 campaign turning back Dodge County 59-41 here Saturday at the Hugh McBride Tipoff tournament.
The Lady Gators faced Toombs County Monday (November 24) afternoon in their second game. They were scheduled to play Tuesday (November 25) at Richmond Hill.
The Gators open their season Tuesday, December 2 at Valdosta in a doubleheader. Worth County visits Thursday, December 4 with Glynn Academy coming to town Friday, December 5.
Lady Gators ..........59 Dodge County .......41 Lydia Munford and Bailey Denton combined for 18 second half points helping Ware County pull away from the Squaws.
Munford (team-high six steals, four rebounds) drained four threes over the final two periods scoring 12 of her 16 points after intermission. Denton (rebound, steal) was a perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line finishing with 11 points. The Lady Gators made 12-of-13 free throws for the game.
The two teams matched field goals in the first period with four two-point baskets and a trey to end the quarter tied at 11-apiece. Ware County opened up some breathing room heading into the second stanza outscoring the Squaws 11-3 for a 22-14 halftime advantage.
The Lady Gators dominated the second half outscoring Dodge County 37-27. Munford scored half of Ware County’s third quarter points helping the Lady Gators to an 18-13 scoring advantage and a 40-27 lead. Seven different plays contributed at least two points during a 19-14 final period.
A’Treasure White (seven rebounds, three steals) netted eight points. Neveah Norton and Madisyn Daniels (two rebounds) bagged six points each. Bre Hill (five rebounds, steal) followed with five points.
Lauren Belle (three rebounds, two steals), LeLe Reid (rebound, steal, assist) and Ra’Janae Buford contributed two points apiece.
Dodge County’s Jamaura Mizell and Paige Ingram netted 13 points apiece.
