Ware County split in action Tuesday with the Lady Gators falling in Hilliard, Fla., while the Gators opened Region 1AAAA play with a road in the Savannah area.
The Lady Gators (4-8) suffered a fourth straight loss falling 44-37 to Class Rural (smallest classification) fifthranked Hilliard High (10-4) January 6.
The Lady Red Flashes improved to 4-1 against teams from Georgia owning road wins over Glynn Academy, Charlton County and Class A DI second-ranked Elbert County. The loss came against Class 3A seventh-ranked Jenkins of Savannah.
The Gators (11-2 overall, 1-0 region), ranked eighth by MaxPreps behind seven North Georgia schools, rolled to an 81-41 dismantling of homestanding New Hampstead (5-10, 0-1) in the region opener. The loss was the seventh in nine games for the Phoenix.
Hilliard .....................................44 Lady Gators...............................37 HILLIARD, Fla. — The Lady Flashes overcame a three-point deficit outscoring Ware County 28-13 over the middle two periods on the way to the victory.
The Lady Gators claimed an 11-8 lead at the end of the first period. Hilliard hit a trio of 3-pointers in the second quarter keying a 17-5 scoring advantage for a 2516 halftime lead.
The Lady Red Flashes padded the margin in the third period outpointing Ware County 11-8 to extend the margin to 3624. The Lady Gators sliced five points off the deficit over the final eight minutes outscoring the host 13-8.
Bailey Denton (two treys) was the lone double-figure scorer for Ware County, finishing with 10 points. A’Treasure White and Lydia Munford (trey) were next with nine and eight points, respectively.
Bre Hill finished with four points. Nevaeh Norton bagged three points with LeLe Reid chipping in two points. Reagan Ash converted a free throw.
No. 8 Gators ..............................81 New Hampstead ........................41 BLOOMINGDALE — Ware County raced to a 26-point halftime lead in setting a season-best point total in the win over the Phoenix.
The Gators tripled up New Hampstead in the opening eight minutes racing to an 18-6 advantage. Ware County put the game away by intermission outscoring the Phoenix 23-9 for a commanding 4115 cushion.
The visitors continued scoring at will in the third quarter taking the period 2518 in doubling up New Hampstead 66-33 forcing a “mercy rule” final stanza. Ware County closed out the game outpointing the Phoenix 15-8 for the 40-point win.
Isaiah White (careerhigh points and treys three) and Masiyer McKoy tied for game-high honors with 17 points leading four players in double figures. Kevin Ramsey bagged 13 points with Ja’Londi O’Hara finishing with 11 points.
Davion Jones netted eight points. Elan Jones and R.J. Munford each scored six points. Dallas Vinson and Travis Story contributed two points and one point respectively.
New Hampstead’s Darron Horns scored a teamhigh 10 points for the Phoenix.
