The Blue Tide boys basketball team’s season ended Tuesday when they lost 85-61 to Henry County High School in the state playoffs.

The Tide traveled to McDonough and took on the Warhawks. Having just pulled off a solid win over Jefferson County High School, Long County was confident going into Tuesday’s match. Unfortunately, Henry County was confident, too. With the win, the Warhawks advanced to the Elite 8 round of the Georgia High School Association State Championship Tournament.

The Ludowici team finished its season with a 15-14 overall record and a 10-7 Region 2-AA mark. The Tide’s advancement to the Sweet 16 was an accomplishment; however, considering the squad lost seven of its first eight games this season.

Seniors Justin Boyd, Donte Brown and Norman Thompson played their final season for Long County, but Tide head coach Deshon Brock expects juniors Robert Reed, Akeem Boyd and Jalen Futch will step up next year to fill the outgoing seniors’ shoes. Underclassmen Josh Berry, Jamel Anderson, Chris LaRochester and Johannae Jones also will return in 2011, and they’re all looking for starting positions. The team will gain more depth with the addition of several of this year’s junior varsity players.