The Long County boys basketball team won a game and lost a game last week. On Tuesday, the Blue Tide traveled to Folktson and took on Charlton County High School. The road trip wasn’t a good one for the Tide, who were defeated, 68-54, by the Indians.
On Friday, the Blue Tide found success at home when they beat Brantley County 65-52. Long County’s top scorers were Jalen Futch with 13 points, Donte Brown with 15 and Justin Boyd with 19.
The teams appeared evenly matched during the first half. The Tide was up 26-22 at the break, but in the third period Long County took control of the game and outscored the visitors’ team 17-10. The Tide had a 43-32 lead going into the final quarter.
Again the game leveled out as the Ludowici team scored 21 points and Brantley put up 20, but the Tide were ahead at the buzzer.
"In the third period we just were more efficient and we executed better. We also slowed the game down and took our time," Blue Tide coach Deshon Brock said.He praised his entire team and recognized the individual play of Jalen Futch, Johnnae Jones and Norman Thompson.
"Jalen had his best game of the year, and Johnnae and Norman had good games too," the coach said.
Thompson had missed the last three games because of an injury. Brock said it was good to have him back on the court.
"When Norman is out there, we can stretch the defense. If he’s not out there, teams can just focus on Justin (Boyd)," he said.
With the victory, the Blue Tide improved their overall record to 10-11 and their Region 2-AA mark to 8-5. They are No. 3 in the region.
On Saturday, Long County faced Region 2-AA No. 1 team McIntosh County. The Bucs came into the game with a perfect 13-0 region mark and a 16-6 overall record. Results for that game were not available at press time.
On Tuesday the Blue Tide will play the Appling County Pirates at home. The Pirates are 5-8 in the region and 11-10 overall. The game in Ludowici starts at 7:30 p.m.