Ware County’s recent sixgame winning streak propelled the Gators into the Class 4A polls at No. 8. Both the winning streak ended as well as the ranking after one game played because of the effects of winter storm Enzo.
The Gators (15-5), who were ranked for the first time in two decades, suffered through a cold-shooting afternoon Monday, January 20 in Columbus at St. Anne-Pacelli High School in the MLK Hoops Classic falling 62-56 to Calvary Christian (119), a GIAA Class 4A program, snapping its season-best winning streak.
The victory was the fifth in a row for the Knights and seventh in nine games. The win improved their mark to 5-7 against GHSA competition.
The Tuesday, January 21 matchup with New Hampstead and Friday, January 24 tilt with Perry, both region games, were cancelled due to weather and travel conditions.
No makeup date has been announced for New Hampstead. Ware County will host Perry Saturday, February 1 for Senior Night. The Lady Gators will play at 4 p.m., followed by Senior Night recognition, and the Gators at 6 p.m.
The Gators were scheduled to participate Saturday, January 25 in the Longhorn 5 Star Classic at Milton High School.
Ware County was to host Wayne County Tuesday (January 28) and travel to Savannah Friday, January 31 to face Benedictine.
Calvary Christian ..........62 No. 8 Gators ..................56 COLUMBUS — Ware County whittled a 12-point deficit to one point with three minutes to play before the Knights regrouped to hold on.
The Gators trailed 49-37 with 1:30 left in the third period before closing on a 6-0 run to get to within 49-43. A three-pointer by Jarvis Wright (game-high 31 points, eight treys) with 4:08 to play pulled Ware County to within 53-51.
Wright’s basket with 2:58 on the clock got the Gators to within 55-54 with 2:58 remaining. Ware County was unable to get over the hump down the stretch.
A three by Wright on Ware County’s first possession gave the Gators the early lead. Calvary Christian went on a 15-2 run for its first double-digit lead of the afternoon at 15-5.
Ware County scored the next five points to trail 15-10 with the Knights closing out the quarter with a 10-4 spurt for a 25-14 advantage.
The Gators were able to stay within striking distance until a final push in the final minutes of the first half. The late surge closed the deficit to 34-28 at the break after Ware County outscored the Knight 14-9 in the second period.
A basket to start the third quarter got the Gators to within 34-30, the closest they had been since trailing 73 in the first period. A 10-2 surge by Calvary Christian extended to the margin to 44-32, the largest of the game. Ware County battled back closing the period with a 11-5 run to trail 49-43 with each team scoring 15 points in the period.
Halfway through the final quarter, the Gators trailed by two points and eventually by one with three minutes to play. The Knights outscored Ware County 7-2 (each team scored 13 points in the period) over the last three minutes to escape.
Tayshaun Franklin followed Wright’s lead with 14 points. Tazhan Bolds (trey), Shaun McClam (trey) and Elan Jones each added three points. Darius Ward finished with two points.
Calvary Christian had three players reach double figures. Lian Hocutt scored 12 of his team-high 15 points in the opening period. Dylan Hester netted 14 points and TJ. Benson added 13 points with 11 coming in the first half.
