LUDOWICI — The Long County High School boys varsity basketball team picked up their sixth win in a row Friday over Appling County High School.
Playing in front of the home town fans, the Blue Tide capsized the Pirates ship 95-70.
The Red and Black visitors’ came into the game fresh and ready to play, and hung tough with the Blue and White. At the end of the first period Long County was up by only a bucket, 20-18.
In the second period, led by two 3-point shots by Justin Boyd and two more by Norman Thompson, the Tide went on a 12-3 run to extend their lead to 14, 47-33 going in at the half.
The third period was more of the same for the Ludowici boys, as they jumped out to an 8-0 lead. With Jimmy Bacon putting in seven points in the quarter, the Blue was up 68-50 going down the stretch.
In the final period, Ricky Rivera made several big drives to the net, drawing fouls and put up six points in the quarter. By the time the game was over, the Long County team had sealed the convincing win.
In the game, Eli Guest had 6 points, Donte Brown had 12 points, Thompson and Rivera both had 14, Boyd had 16, and Bacon had 29 big points to lead all scorers.
"Tonight’s game was a team effort. Everyone chipped in and did a good job; Norman Thompson had three big 3-point shots that broke their back there at the end of the game," Blue Tide head coach Deshon Brock said.
"We’re not where I thought we would be at this time of the season, because I didn’t think we would have five losses, this early, but after the Christmas break, everyone has come around, and I’m happy how we are progressing".
The Blue Tide’s overall record is now 8-5 and their Region 2-AA record is 5-2.
Last night Long County had the Wayne County Yellow Jackets come to town for a non-region game. As of Friday, the 2-AAAA team had a record of 4-10, and was averaging 55 points a game, and giving up 55 a game.
The Tide hosts Jeff Davis County (8-7) Tuesday in a 2-AA Region matchup. That game begins at 7:30.
Lady Tide fall in tough loss to Pirates 46-49
The Long County High School girls basketball team’s four-game winning streak ended Friday at the hands of the Appling County High School.
The Lady Tide went in at the half trailing 24-20, but as the team has all year, they fought back in the third period, out shooting their opponents 15 to 11 to tie the game at 35 going into the final quarter.
The period went back and fourth, as both teams had their chances to win, but when the buzzer sounded the Pirates had ridden the Tide wave.
"We just missed too many open lay-up shots. That’s the story of our year so far. We make those shots and we win the game," head coach Ryan Bailey said.
"We have to improve on our man-to-man defense, and continue to improve on the minor parts of our game".
Despite the loss, Bailey was pleased with one of his players effort.
"Shareka Turner played her third outstanding game in a row, she had another great all-around game on offense and defense".
Turner had 10 points, as did Brittany Mills. The leading scorer for the Long County girls was India Gamble who put up 12 points.
The Lady Tide’s record fell to 6-7 overall and 5-2 in the 2-AA Region. The girls took on 2-AAAA Wayne County High School last night in Ludowici, but results for that game were not available in time for this story.
The Yellow Jackets went into that game with a 6-7 record and were putting up 43 points a game, while giving up 45 a game.
This Tuesday, another group of Yellow Jackets will come to Long County. And those bugs bring an impressive 11-4 record. The game against Jeff Davis High School is an important 2-AA match-up. After Friday’s games, both teams are 5-2 in the region, and as the end of the season gets closer, every region game becomes more important.
The Yellow Jackets are averaging 50 points a game, compared to the Lady Tide’s 46. On defense, Jeff Davis is only giving up 42 a night, while the Tide is allowing 53 points a game.
The game will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the LCHS gymnasium.