Ware County opened its home Region 1-AAAA schedule Friday night sweeping visiting Perry on Recreation Night.
The Lady Gators (5-8 overall, 1-0 region) ended a four-game losing streak taking the January 9 opener 46-36 over the Lady Panthers (7-8, 0-1), who entered with three straight wins and victorious in four of their last five outings.
The MaxPreps 8th-ranked Gators (12-2, 2-0) won a third straight game posting a 65-38 victory over the Panthers (5-8, 1-1) in the finale. It was Ware’s eighth win of 22-plus points.
Lady Gators ............................46 Perry.......................................36 Ware County pulled away from a 2926 advantage early in the fourth quarter stretching the margin to as many as 15 in beating the Lady Panthers.
The Lady Gators opened a threepoint margin at the end of the first period at 12-9. They widened the lead by intermission outscoring Perry 9-5 in the second quarter to take a 21-14 halftime cushion.
Ware County’s Masiyer McKoy looks for an opening at the top of the key against a Perry defender as teammate Kevin Ramsey (20) cuts to basket.
Photo By RICK HEAD Perry chipped two points off the deficit at the end of the third period outscoring the Lady Gators 10-8 to get to within 29-24. After an early basket by the Lady Panthers, Ware County followed with a 15-2 run for a comfortable 44-29 advantage outscoring the visitors 17-12 in the final eight minutes.
Bailey Denton (two treys, 8-of-10 at free throw line) led three Lady Gators in double figures with 14 points. A’Treasure White finished with 11 points while Lydia Munford (two treys) netted 10 points.
Bre’ Hill followed with seven points. Lauren Belle and Nevaeh Morton each scored two points.
Perry was paced by Cameryn McKenzie’s game-high 16 points.
No. 8 Gators ..........65 Perry .....................38 The Gators pulled away from a one-point lead after eight minutes outscoring Perry by 26 points over the final three periods.
Masiyer McKoy (trey) led a trio of Ware County players in double figures scoring a game-high 17 points. Davion Jones and Ja’Londi O’Hara bagged 11 points and 10 points respectively.
The Gators were never threatened after a free throw at the end of the opening stanza gave them a 9-8 lead. Ware County outscored the Panthers 2111 in the second period stretching the margin to 30-19 at the break.
Ware County padded the margin during the third quarter outscoring the visitors 15-9 to build a 45-28 with eight minutes to play. The Gators doubled up Perry 20-10 in the final stanza in pulling away.
Ware County’s starters outscored the Panther starters 41-22. Perry struggled from the floor hitting seven treys while making just three two-point baskets.
Kevin Ramsey was next in the scoring column for Ware County finishing with eight points. R.J. Munford and Isaiah White (trey) followed with six points and five points respectively. Dallas Vinson chipped in three points with Travis Story adding a free throw.
Perry’s Jamarien Green (three treys), Kam Thomas (two treys) and Earl Harrison (trey) shared teamhigh scoring honors with nine points each.
