No. 7 WCHS off to best start since 2016-17
Ware County’s seventh-ranked Lady Gators finished a perfect pre-Christmas schedule following weekend victories against Charlton County and Clinch County.
The Lady Gators improved to 11-0, their best start to a season since 2016-17 when they opened 18-0 en route to a 25-5 record. Ware County was 9-0 at Christmas.
Ware County posted a 72-39 victory Friday night, December 20 in Folkston against the Indian Maidens. The Lady Gators followed Saturday, December 21 with a 62-29 rout of visiting Clinch County.
Ware County has recorded eight victories of 20-plus points through.
The Lady Gators will participate in a tournament in Brunswick Friday, December 27 facing Dougherty of Albany at 1 p.m., Colquitt County Saturday, December 28 at 1 p.m., and Monday, December 30 vs. Class 5A seventh-ranked Bradwell Institute.
Ware County opens the second half of the schedule with a Region 1-AAAA showdown at current eighth-ranked and unbeaten Warner Robins Friday, January 3. Vidalia comes to town Saturday, January 4 for a 5 p.m. matchup. Region foe New Hampstead visits Tuesday, January 10.
Lady Gators....................................72 Charlton County.............................39 FOLKSTON — The Lady Gators pulled away from a first quarter tie outscoring Charlton County 58-25 over the final three periods for the win.
Shardell Vickers led 11 players in the scoring column finishing with a season-best 16 points in three quarters of action. Bailey Denton (three treys) added 13 points and Bre Hill finished with a season-high 10 points.
The two teams battled to a 14-all standoff in the opening period. The Lady Gators took charge of the game in the second quarter outscoring Charlton County 25-6 in building a 39-20 halftime advantage.
Ware County used a 13-6 scoring advantage in the third quarter to double up the Indian Maidens at 52-26. The Lady Gators finished the game outpointing Charlton County 20-13 in the final period.
Molly Smith and Lydia Munford (two threes) were next for Ware County scoring six points apiece. Charlecia Jones and Larissa Revis each bagged five points.
Rhianna Mateyka and Kyla McKelvin netted four points and three points respectively. Skyy Green and A’Treasure White added two points apiece.
Charlton County was led by Trenity Hamilton, who scored 10 of her team-high 17 points in the first period. Christiona Farmer followed with 15 points.
Lady Gators....................................62 Clinch County ................................29 Ware County built a double-digit lead by intermission in rolling to an easy win over the Lady Panthers.
The Lady Gators had 11 players reach the scoring column for the second straight game led by Munford (four threes), who scored 14 points in the first half. Denton (three treys) followed with 12 points.
Ware County led just 13-8 after the first eight minutes. The Lady Gators stretched the margin to 35-16 by intermission outscoring Clinch County 22-8 in the second quarter.
A 15-2 scoring advantage in the third period increased Ware County’s advantage to 50-18. The Lady Gators clipped the visitors 12-11 in the “mercy rule” fourth quarter.
Mateyka (trey), White and Vickers were next in the scoring column with seven points apiece. Jones finished with five points.
Hill added three points with McKelvin, Green and Smith each chipping in two points. Revis contributed a free throw.
