The Long County Blue Tide basketball teams opened Region 3-AAA play when they hosted the Johnson Atomsmashers on December 6. The Blue Tide came out victorious in both games, with the girls winning 49-43 and the boys prevailing 55-47.

In the girls game, the Atomsmashers used an 8-0 run to go up 12-5 and took a 25-19 lead at the half. 

A 7-0 run gave Johnson its biggest lead, 32-21, midway through the third. 

Makinzie Moody finally hit the mark from 3-point range, but they still trailed 36-27 going into the final quarter. 

The Tide opened the fourth on a 7-1 run. 

Down 37-36, Moody was fouled and hit two free throws to give her team a 38-37 lead, their first lead since being up 3-2 in the first quarter. This completed a 12-1 run to open the quarter. 

Moody hit a 3-point shot at the shot clock buzzer to put the Tide up 45-43. That opened up 7-0 run to close out the game, which included an Amire Saunders steal and layup.

Moody finished the night with 14 points and 6 steals while Khloe Morris added 14 points and 7 rebounds. With the win, the Tide girls moved to 2-4 on the season. 

In the boys game, the Tide (3-2) opened the second quarter on a 6-0 run to take an 18-17 lead with 6:15 left to play in the half. The Atomsmashers’ tough defense kept the Tide in check, allowing Johnson to go into halftime ahead 21-20.

Jy’son Mallard and Ja’mere Martin hit consecutive 3s to put the Tide in front 29-26, and the Tide went on a late 8-0 run to go up 55-45.

Zyi’Air Holt finished with a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds.