Long County High School’s basketball teams competed in their first Region 2-AAA Tournament last week.

The Blue Tide, the defending 2-AA Region champions, went into the tourney with a first round bye as a result of ending the season as the number two seed in the region.

The Lady Tide also had high hopes going in as the No. 4 team in the region standings.

The Lady Tide played Brantley County on Tuesday in Hinesville. The game went back and forth. Long County beat the Lady Herons in a defensive battle 40-36.

Long’s leading scorers were Elexxus Wrighton, who had 14 points, Malaka Elix, 13, and JaKayla Porter, 7.

The tournament moved to Reidsville Thursday when the Lady Tide faced No. 1 seed Tattnall County in the semifinals. Despite a game effort by Long County, the Lady Warriors notched another trip to the finals, beating the Lady Tide 63-54.

Friday, Long County’s Lady Tide was pitted against next door rival Liberty County. The game determined third place and bragging rights for the next year. In a hotly contested and physical game, the Lady Tide beat the Lady Panthers.

Blue Tide

For the Blue Tide the tournament did not go as hoped. Thursday, Long County fell to host and No. 3 seed Tattnall County 78-66. Friday, the Blue Tide had high hopes that they could bounce back and at least secure third place in the region. But No. 4 seed Appling County wouldn’t have it. The Pirates beat Long County, dropping them into fourth place.

With the region tournament over, the Lady Tide improved their overall record to 14-14, while the Blue Tide fell to 16-12. Tattnall County beat Pierce County 39-38 to win the girls region title, while Liberty County beat Tattnall County 72-63 to keep the host school from sweeping the tourney.

Now the schools are waiting for the GHSA to issue brackets to see who goes on to the AAA State Tournament.