The Long County High School boys’ basketball team pulled out an 87-82 win over Wayne County on Saturday in Jesup. 
But it didn’t come easy for the Blue Tide, who had to come from behind and then go into overtime to defeat the Yellow Jackets. The Tide (2-2) tied the game in the fourth period on Josh Berry’s long 3-pointer to make the score 73-73 at the end of regulation.
In overtime, the Blue Tide played aggressively and hit 10 of 13 from the free throw line.
“I think our aggressiveness on both ends of the floor helped us out in overtime,” Long County coach Deshon Brock said. “It forced them to turn the ball over and allowed us to get to the free throw line.”
Henry Peoples led Long County with 26 points. Jamal Anderson added 20 points while Chris LaRochester and Jarquez Payne added 12 points each.
Brock said he was pleased with his entire team’s performance, but did note several players’ individual efforts.
“The rebounding of Johnnae Jones and Yusuf Gooding is what kept us in the game and possibly won it for  us,” Brock said. “I would like to commend Jarquez Payne for his relentless effort on the defensive end of the floor, diving for loose balls and selling out on (defense), also Josh Berry for not putting his head down when he couldn’t find the basket earlier in the game. He had the faith to keep shooting and came up big at the end.” The win was sweet for the Blue Tide, who earlier lost close games to Claxton (60-57) and Liberty County (65-60).
“It was a great win for the Blue Tide against a cross-town rival,” Long County High School Athletic Director Karen Swindell said. “Our boys played good and it was a total team victory with everyone contributing. Hats off to Coach Brock for keeping the players focused as they were able to come from behind to seal the win.”
The Tide plays at Liberty County on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.