The Long County High School girl’s basketball team lost 59-33 Saturday to Tattnall County High School.
The defeat was the sixth in a row for the ladies from Ludowici, as they continue to limp through the early part of the year.
The Lady Warriors jumped out to a 5-0 lead. With two unforced turnovers in the period, Tattnall led 19-5 at the end of the period.
In the second, the Warriors outscored Long County 17-10, but the Lady Tide’s Miranda McDowell did score 6 of the Tide’s 10 points in the quarter. At the half, the Warriors were on top 36-15.
In the third period, the Tattnall girls came out on fire and went on a 15-4 run. At the end of three, the Tide were down 21-53.
In the final period, however, the Lady Tide went on an 8-2 run early, and with aggressive defensive play, the team held the Warriors to six points while scoring 12 themselves. In the end, though, Tattnall was victorious.
The Lady Tide’s leading scorers were Tashanna Livingston with 11 points, Jamika Boyd and McDowell with 6 each, India Gamble with 4, Shamike Richardson with 3, Raven Rose with 2 and Rhea Rose with 1.The top shooters for the Lady Warriors were Laraya Mincey with 17 points and Shantell Ramsey with 15.
Even with the loss, Lady Tide head coach Ryan Bailey said he saw some improvement.
"The ladies did battle back at the end there, and even when they were down they continued to play hard," the coach said.
Bailey also praised the efforts of Boyd and Raven Rose.
Senior center Caela LaRochester wasn’t on the court Saturday, but Bailey said she’ll be back later this month.
"Caela is out until Dec. 30. She was having some problems with her breathing and had some test run on her heart. Hopefully she’ll be OK to play after the 30th."
Of his team’s losing slump, Bailey said, "If we want to right the season and turn things around, we have to make a commitment on defense."
The loss dropped the Lady Tide to 0-6 overall and 0-2 in Region 2-AA. The ladies took on Glynn Academy on Tuesday in a non-region game in Ludowici. For a story on the game, see Friday’s Courier.