Ware County dropped a pair of Region 1-AAAAA encounters over the weekend as its losing streak reached four games.
The Gators (7-10 overall, 2-4 region), ranked 36th in the latest MaxPreps poll, fell 52-43 to No. 44 Jenkins (6-12, 1-6) to end the Warriors’ eight-game losing streak with their first region win Friday, January 20. Ware County won the first meeting 59-54 back on January 6.
Homestanding Statesboro (12-5, 4-2), ranked 17th and winners in four of its last five games, handed the Gators a 65-46 setback Saturday, January 21 in the first meeting of the year between the two programs. The win was the 12th straight for the Blue Devils over Ware County dating back to the 2014-15 season.
The Gators visited Bradwell Institute Tuesday, January 24 in the first of three region matchups this week. Coffee comes to town Friday, January 27 for an 8:30 p.m., start with Greenbrier visiting Saturday, January 28 for a 6:30 p.m. tip.
Jenkins 52
Gators 43
The visiting Warriors outscored Ware County by nine points in the second half to pull away from a 23-all halftime deadlock.
The Gators claimed a 13-12 lead after one period. Jenkins used an 11-10 scoring advantage in the second quarter to send the game into intermission tied at 23-apiece.
The visitors took advantage of a cold-shooting third stanza by Ware County outscoring the home team 14-6 to open up a 37-29 lead. Jenkins added one point to its margin over the final eight minutes outpointing the Gators 15-14.
Brandon Washington topped Ware County scoring a game-high 20 points with 11 coming in the fourth quarter. Glenden Hadden hit three treys en route to scoring 14 points.
Tayshaun Franklin followed with three points. Darius Ward, TeZhan Bolds and Dedric Jackson canned two points apiece.
The Blue Devils were led by Jeremiah James’ 17 points. Cameron Davis netted 10 points.
Statesboro 65
Gators 46
STATESBORO — The Blue Devils jumped ahead by 10 points after one period and stayed in control the rest of the way to beat Ware County.
Down 16-6 after the first eight minutes, the Gators outpointed Statesboro 18-15 in the second stanza to get to within 31-24.
The home team seized control in the third quarter using a 20-7 scoring advantage to stretch the margin to 51-31. Ware County sliced a point off the deficit in the final period outscoring the Blue Devils 15-14.
Washington led the way with 18 points connecting on four treys. Ward (trey) finished with 12 points converting on 7-0f-8 free throws. Jackson followed with 10 points while R.J. Boyd netted four points and Hadden bagged two points.
