After surprising everyone, by winning their first two games in the 2AA Region playoffs, the Long County High School girls basketball team lost to St. Vincent’s Academy past Thursday 52-42.
Playing at Armstrong Atlantic State University, the Lady Tide jumped out to 9-6 lead over the Monarchs at the end of the first period. But in the second, the Savannah team shut down Ludowici’s offense, holding them to seven points, while on offense the St. Vincent’s girls put up 19 points, taking a 25-16 lead into the lockers at the half.
In the second half the girls from Long County matched the Monarch’s goal for goal, scoring 26 to their 27. But it wasn’t enough, ending the Lady Tide’s season. Though the Lady Tide, they showed heart and determination fighting to the very end as they have all season.
In the game India Gamble led the Tide in scoring with 18 points, while Jamika Boyd added 7 and Caela LaRochester and Shamika Richardson put up 5 each.
The leading scorer for St. Vincent’s was Hannah Burnsed who had a game-high 20 points.
Tide boys defeatYellow Jackets, move to semis
It wasn’t pretty and it sure wasn’t easy, but the Long County High School boys basketball team squeaked by Jeff Davis High School Thursday in Savannah.The back-and-forth game could have tied out with a three-point free throw by Yellow Jacket A.K. Rumph. With three seconds left, the Tide led 55-52. Rumph went for a long three, but drew the foul. At the line the senior made his first two shots, but came up short on the final one and the Blue Tide grabbed the rebound, clenching the win 55-54.
Leading scorers for the Blue Tide were Justin Boyd and Norman Thompson, who had 12 each.
Friday evening, the Blue Tide took on the number two seed in the region tournament, McIntosh County. The Bucs brought a 15-1 region record into the game, and had a two-game season sweep over the Tide (11-6).
A story on this game, and a wrap up on where the Blue Tide finished in the tournament will be in Wednesday’ Coastal Courier.
Editor’s note: McIntosh County defeated Long County in the semi-finals 73-26 in a late game Friday. The Bucs advanced to face Benedictine in the finals, while the Blue Tide were face Pierce County to determine the third and fourth places. See Wednesday’s Courier for the region tournament results.