LUDOWICI — Ware County’s Lady Gators came up just short of forcing overtime while the Gators belted Long County for a split here Saturday night in non-region action.
The Lady Gators (5-9) fell for the fifth time in six games dropping a heartbreaking 49-47 decision January 10 to the Lady Blue Tide (7-5), winners of back-toback weekend tilts following a four-game losing streak.
The nightcap pitted two 12-2 teams with MaxPreps’No. 8 Ware County having won 12 of 13 matchups and Class 3A MaxPreps No. 9 Long County victorious in 11 of its last 12. The Gators steamrolled the Blue Tide posting a 62-34 decision.
The Lady Gators have two Region 1AAAA games this week while the Gators have three. Ware County hosted Wayne County Tuesday (January 13).
The Gators travel Friday, January 16 to Savannah to face Benedictine while the Lady Gators have the night off. Both teams go north Saturday, January 17 to play Warner Robins.
New Hampstead visits Tuesday, January 20 in a varsity boys’ matchup only.
Long County .............................49 Lady Gators ..............................47 Long County overcame a seven-point deficit entering the fourth quarter withstanding the Lady Gators’ last second attempt to tie the game.
Trailing by two, Ware County was fouled on a game-tying shot attempt with three seconds remaining. The succeeding free throw attempts to force overtime were unsuccessful.
The Lady Gators finished the game making 11-of-23 free throws. Long County finished 9-of-13 including 7-of-10 in the final period.
Ware County grabbed an 11-7 first quarter lead with Lydia Munford (four treys) connecting on three long-range bombs scoring nine of her team-high 16 points. The Lady Gators outpointed Long County 14-8 in the second period for a 25-15 halftime advantage.
The Lady Blue Tide started its 34-22 second half surge outscoring Ware 15-12 in the third stanza to pull within 37-30. The hosts outpointed the Lady Gators 19-10 over the final eight minutes.
Bre Hill followed Munford’s lead with 12 points. Navaeh Norton and Ameria Burse netted six and five points, respectively. A’Treasure White and Bailey Denton contributed four points apiece.
Long County’s Zac’Riah Buckner (two treys) fueled the comeback scoring 10 of her game-high 18 points during the final eight minutes. Amya Edwards (two treys) finished with 12 points.
No. 8 Gators .................................................62 No. 9 Long County ........................................34 Ware County’s defense pressured the Blue Tide into their worst offensive effort of the season in a matchup of MaxPreps Top 10 programs.
Five of the Gators’ six point scorers reached double figures led by Masiyer McKoy’s 16 points. Kevin Ramsey bagged 13 points with Davion Jones and Isaiah White (three treys) each scoring 11 points. Elan Jones bagged 10 points. Travis Story chipped in a free throw.
As was the case a night early against Perry, Ware County would pull away from a one-point lead. Up 1312 after one quarter, the Gators outscored Long County 12-4 in the second stanza extending the margin to 2516 at the break.
Ware County blew the game open in the third period doubling up the Blue Tide 22-11 to open up a 47-27 advantage. The Gators outscored Long County 15-7 in the final quarter.
The Blue Tide were paced by the 12 points of Zyi’Air Holt. No other player had more than six points.
