WCHS win streak at six after knocking off Wayne, No. 9 BC and Warner Robins
Ware County captured three victories in Region 1AAAA action to climb atop the standings with four games remaining while stretching its winning streak to a season-best six games.
The Gators (15-4 overall, 5-1 region) scored their most points since February 11, 2017 — a span of 189 games — beating Wayne County (4-12, 0-4), losers of eight straight, 92-49 in Jesup Tuesday, January 14. Ware County, who had dropped 14 of the last 15 matchups against the Yellow Jackets, ended a four-game losing streak in the series.
The 92 points was just the fourth time Ware County has surpassed the 90-point mark since the 2007-08 season. The Gators scored 101 in a 101-36 win over Charlton County (January 25, 2014), 99 in a 100-99 setback to Glynn Academy (February 8, 2008) and 97 in a 10697 loss to Wayne County (February 11, 2017) covering the past 18 campaigns.
Ware County knocked off ninth-ranked Benedictine (15-3, 4-1) 69-60 Friday, January 17 for its biggest win in the second year of the Lenny Williams era. The Cadets entered on a five-game winning streak.
The Gators followed Saturday, January 18 with a 60-49 decision over visiting Warner Robins (106, 3-2) halting a four-game skid in the series and earning a season split. The Demons, who dropped their second straight tilt after five straight wins, recorded a 72-66 home victory January 3.
Ware County was scheduled to travel Monday, January 20 to face Calvary Christian in Columbus. The Gators visited New Hampstead Tuesday, January 21 with Perry visiting Friday, January 24 for Senior Night.
Gators ...................92 Wayne County .......49 JESUP — Jarvis Wright led 11 Ware County players in the scoring column with 28 points over three quarters in the rout of the Yellow Jackets.
Wright scored 13 points in the first quarter helping the Gators quickly grab a 15-point advantage. He connected six of Ware County’s 11 three-point baskets.
The Gators’ starters outscored Wayne County’s starters 67-22. The Yellow Jackets’ bench had a 2725 scoring margin. WCHS had a 27-15 advantage in two-point field goals and 11-4 in three-point baskets. The Gators went 15of-18 from the free throw line while Wayne County was 7-of-11.
Ware County scored 21 points or better in all four periods while the Yellow Jackets were limited to 16 points or fewer in each.
The Gators jetted out to a 25-10 first quarter advantage and steadily widened the margin. A 2310 scoring margin in the second stanza extended the lead to 48-20 at intermission.
Ware County pushed its margin to 69-36 through three quarters after outscoring the Yellow Jackets 21-16. During the “mercy rule” final period, the Gators’ reserves outscored Wayne County 23-13.
Sirbari Williams followed Wright with 12 points. Shaun McClam (three treys) was next with 11 points. Darius Ward and Tayshaun Franklin netted eight points apiece.
Tezhan Bolds and Masiyek McCoy contributed seven points and six points respectively. Leo Gardner (trey) bagged five points with Malik Holmes (trey) chipping in three points. Dedrick Jackson and Elan Jones netted two points each.
Dwayne Smith was the lone double figure scorer for Wayne County finishing with 14 points.
Gators ...................69 Benedictine ...........60 The Gators built a dou-ble-digit first half lead thanks to a big second quarter uprising and held off Benedictine for the victory.
BC capitalized on Ware County shooting woes over the final four minutes of the first period to grab a 19-14 lead. The Gators returned the favor in the second quarter outscoring the visitors 214 to take a 35-23 lead to the locker room.
The Cadets outscored Ware County in each of the final two periods by a total of three points. Benedictine cut two points off the margin in the third period outscoring the Gators 19-17 to trail 52-42 with eight minutes to play. BC had an 18-17 scoring advantage in the fourth quarter.
Wright (three treys) and Jackson (trey) led Ware County with 16 points apiece. Bolds (trey) added 14 points.
Williams, Ward and Franklin each scored seven points. McClam netted two points.
The Cadets were paced by Caleb Jones (three treys, 14 rebounds), who scored 20 of his gamehigh 24 points in the second half. Jones came in averaging 31.8 points per game having scored 30plus points 12 times with a career-high 57 against Patriot High School of Nokesville, Va., December 7.
Gators...................60 Warner Robins .....49 Ware County pulled away from a three-point halftime lead outscoring the Demons by eight points over the final two periods for the win.
The Gators trailed by five points after one period for the second straight night with Warner Robins grabbing a 16-11 lead. Ware County battled back outscoring the visitors 11-3 in the second stanza for a 22-19 advantage.
The Gators nearly matched their first-half point total in the third quarter as the pace quickened. The 21-15 scoring advantage gave Ware County a 43-34 lead. The Gators held off Warner Robins over the final eight minutes connecting on 10-of-12 free throws (18of-27 for game) to outpoint the Demons 17-15.
Wright (four threes) led three players in double figures and shared gamehigh scoring honors with 16 points. Ward and Jackson contributed 14 points and 13 points respectively.
Williams (trey) and Franklin were next with six points apiece. Bolds (trey) added five points.
Warner Robins was paced by Trey Bradley’s 16 points.
