Homestanding Ware County turned back Long County twice Saturday on Senior Night in a non-region matchup.
The Lady Gators (8-10) won their second straight game and fourth in six games handing the Lady Blue Tide (9-8) a second straight loss by a final count of 48-36. The victory gave Ware County a split in the season series after falling 49-47 January 10 in Ludowici.
In the nightcap, the MaxPreps Class 4A 11th-ranked Gators (183) notched a third straight win and ninth in 10 games holding off the Atlanta Journal-Constitution ninth-ranked and MaxPreps 11thranked Class 3A Blue Tide (16-4), winners of four straight, 59-54 for the season sweep. Ware County hammered Long County 62-34 in the initial meeting.
Ware County traveled Tuesday, January 27 over to Jesup for a region matchup with Wayne County. A trip to Sylvester Thursday to face Worth County is followed by a home date Friday with the Hilliard Lady Red Flashes and Benedictine.
The regular season ends Tuesday, February 3 with Warner Robins coming to town.
Lady Gators.....................48 Long County....................36 The Lady Gators pulled away from a three-point lead entering the final period doubling up Long County for the double-digit win.
Ware County had a five-point first quarter advantage cut to two by intermission and led 30-27 through three quarters. The Lady Gators outscored Long County 18-9 over the final eight minutes.
Ware County grabbed a 12-7 lead at the end of the first period. The Lady Blue Tide whittled three points off the deficit in the second stanza outscoring the home team 11-8 to trail 20-18 at intermission.
The Lady Gators added one point to its margin by the end of the third quarter outscoring Long County 10-9 for the 30-27 lead.
Bre Hill led Ware County with a game-high 16-point effort. Lydia Munford (trey) also reached double figures finishing with 11 points. Bailey Denton scored seven of her nine points in the final period.
Nevaeh Norton finished with four points. Charmaine Farrell, A’Treasure White, Ameria Burse and Lauren Belle scored two points apiece.
Long County was paced by the 13 points of Zaeriah Buckner (two treys).
No. 11 Gators ...................59 No. 9 Long County...........54 Ware County used an eightpoint scoring advantage in the third quarter to take a lead it would not relinquish in beating the Blue Tide.
The Gators escaped a see-saw first period with a 15-14 advantage. Long County followed with a 15-13 scoring advantage in the second quarter to claim a 29-28 lead at intermission.
Ware County took charge in the third stanza outscoring the Blue Tide 21-13 in gaining a 49-42 advantage with eight minutes to play. Long County chipped two points off the margin by the final horn outpointing the Gators 1210.
Davion Jones (trey) and Masiyer McKoy led Ware County with 15 points and 14 points respectively. Isaiah White (two treys) and Kevin Ramsey contributed nine points apiece.
Ja’Londi O’Hara scored his eight points in the final period. Elan Jones finished with four points.
Long County was paced by the game-high 16 points of Jamere Martin, who drained four threepointers in the first quarter for 12 points. Jonathan Talbert (two treys) followed with 13 points while Jyson Mallard (two treys) bagged 11 points.
Ware County High School’s basketball programs honored their Class of 2026 seniors during Saturday’s game with Long County. Gators’ head coach Lenny Williams (left photo) stands with Kelvin Ramsey and his mother. Lady Gators’ head coach Mandy Ligenfelter (right photo) helped to recognize Lydia Munford, Bre Hill and Skyy Green.
