CANEY BAY — Fitzgerald blew into town sweeping homestanding Brantley County in the Region 1-A opener for both schools Friday night.
The Lady Herons (8-2 overall, 0-1 region) had their five-game winning streak snapped by the Lady Purple Hurricane (53, 1-0), who won a third straight game, 46-41.
The Purple Hurricane (5-3, 1-0) followed with a 91-59 decision in the nightcap over the Herons (4-6, 0-1) shooting better than 50 percent from the floor and 67% from long distance.
Fitzgerald ..............46 Lady Herons ..........41
The visiting Lady Hurricane outscored Brantley County by five total points in the second and fourth quarters to escape with the win.
The two teams battled to an 8-all standoff in the first eight minutes. Fitzgerald used a 17-15 scoring advantage in the second period to take a 25-23 lead at intermission.
The two teams battled a second 8-all tie in the third quarter with the Lady Purple Hurricane taking a 33-31 advantage to the final stanza. Fitzgerald outpointed the Lady Herons 13-10 in the last eight minutes for the fivepoint win.
Abbie Lee recorded a double-double scoring a game-high 23 points and team-high 13 rebounds. She added an assist and recorded a steal.
Julie Carter (six rebounds) followed with five points. Kirsten Smith (rebound, assist) and Tamiyah Coley (team-high three steals) each netted four points.
Ella Highsmith (three rebounds) chipped in three points. Anniston Bowers (two rebounds, two assists, two steals) contributed two points.
Fitzgerald ..............91 Herons ..................59
The visitors put on a shooting display scoring at least 20 points in every quarter in turning back the Herons.
Fitzgerald had 10 players score and five bury 12 shots from beyond the arc. There were only a combined 12 free throws shot between the two teams. The Herons connected on eight three-pointers and drew four charges.
The Purple Hurricane jetted out to a 23-13 advantage by the end of the first period. They doubled up BCHS 24-12 in the second stanza to open up a 47-25 halftime advantage. Fitzgerald continued its torrid shooting over the third eight-minute segment outscoring the Herons 24-17 building a 71-42 lead. The Purple Hurricane outpointed Brantley County 20-17 in the final period.
Cole Courson (five rebounds, two steals, two treys) led nine Herons in the scoring column with 14 points. Jayden Byron (team-high seven rebounds, two assist, steal, two treys) was the only other double-figure scorer finishing with 10 points.
Tristan Dyess (teamhigh four assist, three rebounds, steal, trey) and Tallon Collins (three rebounds, assist) netted eight points apiece. Nathan Howell (two rebounds, trey) and Jordan Simmons (four rebounds, two assists, steal, trey) contributed five points each.
Holton Depratter (four rebounds) chipped in four points. Corbin Roberson (trey) and Hayze Evans bagged three points and two points respectively.
Fitzgerald had four players reach double figures led by Victor Copeland’s (three treys) game-high 25 points. Jeffery Hicks (five treys) followed with 17 points. Darryon Devins added 14 points with Daniel Harris (two treys) finishing with 10 points.
