It was a weekend of mixed emotions for Long High School basketball fans. The boys advanced to the next round of the playoffs, while the girls exited the state playoffs.

The boy’s played in Blakely Saturday against Early County High School.

In the first round of the play offs the Blue Tide showed they have the talent to play solid basketball, defeating the Bobcats 65-55.

The win improved Ludowici’s record to 21-6, and moved the boys into the next round.

Making the Sweet-16 round was nice, but the Tide’s goal this year was not just to make the playoffs, but to win state. To do that they knew they would have to face the Dublin Fighting Irish. Today they do just that.

The Green and White come into the game ranked the No. 1 AA team in the state, by the GaSports/GACA Coaches Poll, and have a 27-1 record. The team’s lone loss (62-66) came in an early season match-up against 7-AAAAA Region champs Collins Hill High School.

Dublin is also battle-tested, coming off a 68-65 win over Northeast Macon, ranked number eight team in the state, at the end of the regular season.

The Tide is ranked No. 9 in the state.

Both Dublin and Long County are hot now. The Irish are in a 19-game winning streak. While the Blue Tide have won 19 of their last 20 games.

Both teams have prolific offenses. Through last week the Irish were averaging 77 points a game. The Tide put up 76 points a night.

On defense, Long County was allowing 62 points, while Dublin allowed only 53 points a game.

Tide coach Deshon Brock said his squad is healthy and ready. He said they are ranked No. 1 because they have a quality team, and that the Tide need to step up defense to win.

The boy’s game is scheduled today in Dublin.

Lady Tide

The Lady Tide played in Camilla Friday and the Blue and White never got on track. Facing a team that appeared more physical and bigger, the Ludowici girls were behind 39-23 at the half and never made up that difference, losing 64-41 to Mitchell County High School.

Despite the early exit, it was a strong season. Coming off 2008 when they went 6-17 overall and 4-10 in the region, few gave them a chance to even make the state tournament.

However, first year head coach Ryan Bailey led his team to a 15-11 overall record and a 12-5 2-AA Region mark. This year the girls went into the region tournament as the number two seed, and made the state tournament for the second time in three years.

The team also can look forward to next year when Calae LaRochester, India Gamble and Rhea Rose will lead the team.