The Wayne County Yellow Jackets proved to be too much for the Long County boys and girls basketball teams Saturday.
The Lady Jackets defeated the Lady Tide, 50-38, in the early game, and the Wayne boys squeaked by the Blue Tide, 76-74.
"We missed 25 free throws and lost by two. If we make three more, then we win the ball game," said Long County coach Deshon Brock. "We shot horribly from the line and it’s costing us games."
This is the second game in a row that missing free throws cost the Blue Tide. With the loss, Long County dropped to 0-3.
Brock has ideas on how the team can improve.
"We have to get back to the basics and focus harder, make free throws and take greater pride in team defense," he said. "I think we’re stinging a little bit from the losses, but it has not affected our confidence as a whole. We know what we are capable of. We just have to get back to the basics."
The coach said he was pleased with Robert Reed, who came off the bench for his first varsity game.
The Wayne County boys are undefeated at 2-0, and the girls improved to 1-1.
Though both Long County teams are winless, they haven’t played any region games yet. The Tide squads meet their first 2-AA opponents Tuesday when the girls take on St. Vincent’s Academy and the boys face Benedictine Military Academy. St. Vincent’s has a 1-1 record. They are averaging 43 points a game and giving up 42. The Blue Tide girls are putting up 32 points a night and are allowing 60.
Last year, the Lady Tide swept both games against the Saints, 44-38 and 45-41.
The Benedictine Cadets bring a 1-1 record into the game. They are averaging 53 points on offense and 48 points on defense. The Tide is scoring 67 a night and allowing 80.
Last year, the two teams split their series with the Cadets.
The girls game starts at 6 p.m. and the boys is at 7:30.