FITZGERALD — Brantley County garnered a Region 1-A split here Friday against homestanding Fitzgerald.
The 10th-ranked Lady Herons (13-3 overall, 4-2 region) avenged a January 2 46-41 home loss to the Lady Purple Hurricane (8-5, 3-2) by notching a 44-35 victory January 16 for the season split. The setback was the second straight for Fitzgerald following a six-game winning streak.
The region-leading Purple Hurricane (10-3, 5-0) finished off the season sweep of the Herons (6-10, 2-4) shooting lights out from long range (15 threes) in posting a 77-47 victory, their sixth in a row, in the nightcap. Fitzgerald rolled to a 91-59 decision in the first meeting connecting on 12 shots from behind the arc.
No. 10 Lady Herons.........................................44 Fitzgerald ........................................................35 Brantley County outscored the Lady Purple Hurricane by nine points over the final 16 minutes erasing a one-point halftime deficit for the win.
Fitzgerald finished the first eight minutes holding an 11-7 lead. That would be the only quarter the Lady Purple Hurricane outscored the visitors. BCHS chipped three points off the margin in the second quarter outscoring the home team 12-9 to close the deficit to 2019 at intermission.
The Lady Herons used a 14-8 third period scoring advantage to open up a 33-28 lead. They were able to widen the margin during the final stanza outscoring Fitzgerald 11-7 to finish off the nine-point win.
Ella Highsmith recorded a double-double for BCHS scoring 13 points and grabbing 11 rebounds to go along with two assists. Anniston Bowers (trey; two rebounds, two assists, steal) netted 12 points. Abbie Lee (trey; eight rebounds, team-high five steals, assist) rounded out the double-figure scorers with 10 points.
Chloe Johns (four rebounds, two assists, steal) bagged four points. Kirsten Smith (trey; team-high three assists, three rebounds, three steals) chipped in three points. Julie Carter (four rebounds, two assists, steal) contributed two points.
Fitzgerald's Jariah Williams connected on four of the Lady Purple Hurricane's five treys finishing with a game-high 17 points.
Fitzgerald 77 Herons 47
Fitzgerald raced out to a 38-point lead through three quarters in knocking off the Herons.
The Purple Hurricane drained at least two threepoint bombs in every quarter topped by the seven during a 29-point third period. The free throw line was their nemesis making just 2-of-11 from the shorter distance.
Fitzgerald jetted out to a 21-6 first quarter lead aided by four threes. The Purple Hurricane widened the margin by intermission outscoring BCHS 2013 for a comfortable 41-19 advantage.
The home team used a 29-13 scoring margin in the third period stretching the lead to 70-32. Brantley County outscored the Purple Hurricane 15-7 in the “mercy rule” final period.
Hayze Evans (three treys; three rebounds) was the lone BCHS player to reach double figures finishing with 11 points. Jayden Byron (team-high eight rebounds, two steals) tallied nine points. Holton DePratter (three rebounds, team-high two assists) and Tallon Collins (two rebounds) contributed seven points and nine points respectively.
Sean Hutcherson (four rebounds), Nathan Howell and Cole Courson (two rebounds, two steals) each netted four points. Jayden Simmons (five rebounds, steal) chipped in two points. Tristin Dyess grabbed four rebounds and recorded two steals. Zary Harris finished with a team-leading four steals and secured a rebound.
