LUDOWICI - Before a packed house, the Long County Blue Tide boys basketball team picked up their fifth 2-AA Region win in a row over Charlton County 94-70.
The Blue Tide came out playing stellar defense, which with their high-powered offense, resulted in them outscoring their opponents 23 to 14 in the first period. However, in the second, the Indians came out strong, scoring 25 to the home team's 23, making the half-time score, Long 46 and Charlton 39.
With Long County only being up by seven at the half, the Tide came out once again playing even more aggressive defense in the third period, causing more turnovers by the Indians. Capitalizing on this, the Blue manhandled the Indians over the third, out-shooting them 30 to 14, and went on to win the game by the 24-point margin.
Robert Gamble had 17 points, Jimmy Bacon had 22, and sophomore Justin Boyd led all scorers with 25.
The win sets up a showdown with the Appling County Pirates Saturday night in Ludowici. The Pirates hold onto the top spot in the 2-AA Region, and defeated Long County in their opening contest, 69-67 in overtime.
Appling is currently ranked number three in the Georgia State Coaches Poll.
The Blue Tide is in second place in the region losing only to the Pirates and Savannah Christian. The Long boys have already avenged the loss to the Red Raiders, and want to do the same against Appling County.
Now the three teams Region 2-AA records are Appling County (19-1) 11-0, Long County (16-4) 10-2, and Savannah Christian sits at 6-2 (10-2).
Long would still like to go into the playoffs as the number one seed, but to get to that mark, they have to beat Appling, and still hope that the Pirates lose a second region game.
Appling still has to play Savannah Christian for a second time. The Savannah team will need the win too, as they try to hold on to the third spot in the region, over McIntosh County.
But before the Tide can worry about the Appling Pirates, they will have to take care of another group of pirates on the coast, the Brunswick Pirates.
Long travels to Brunswick tonight to take on the 3-AAAA team, and will try to continue adding to their winning streak. Brunswick has an overall record of 1-14, and the game begins at 7:30 p.m.
The Blue Tide came out playing stellar defense, which with their high-powered offense, resulted in them outscoring their opponents 23 to 14 in the first period. However, in the second, the Indians came out strong, scoring 25 to the home team's 23, making the half-time score, Long 46 and Charlton 39.
With Long County only being up by seven at the half, the Tide came out once again playing even more aggressive defense in the third period, causing more turnovers by the Indians. Capitalizing on this, the Blue manhandled the Indians over the third, out-shooting them 30 to 14, and went on to win the game by the 24-point margin.
Robert Gamble had 17 points, Jimmy Bacon had 22, and sophomore Justin Boyd led all scorers with 25.
The win sets up a showdown with the Appling County Pirates Saturday night in Ludowici. The Pirates hold onto the top spot in the 2-AA Region, and defeated Long County in their opening contest, 69-67 in overtime.
Appling is currently ranked number three in the Georgia State Coaches Poll.
The Blue Tide is in second place in the region losing only to the Pirates and Savannah Christian. The Long boys have already avenged the loss to the Red Raiders, and want to do the same against Appling County.
Now the three teams Region 2-AA records are Appling County (19-1) 11-0, Long County (16-4) 10-2, and Savannah Christian sits at 6-2 (10-2).
Long would still like to go into the playoffs as the number one seed, but to get to that mark, they have to beat Appling, and still hope that the Pirates lose a second region game.
Appling still has to play Savannah Christian for a second time. The Savannah team will need the win too, as they try to hold on to the third spot in the region, over McIntosh County.
But before the Tide can worry about the Appling Pirates, they will have to take care of another group of pirates on the coast, the Brunswick Pirates.
Long travels to Brunswick tonight to take on the 3-AAAA team, and will try to continue adding to their winning streak. Brunswick has an overall record of 1-14, and the game begins at 7:30 p.m.