WARNER ROBINS — Dedric Jackson scored 16 of his game-high 21 points in the second half as Ware County pulled away Wednesday from New Hampstead to win the Region 1-AAAA consolation game 80-55.
The second-seed Gators (19-7), one victory away from their first 20-win season in more two decades, will travel to fourth-ranked Region 5 runner up Southwest DeKalb (25-3) Wednesday, February 19.
The bottom half of the quadrant has eighthranked Region 2 champion McDonough hosting Region 8 fourth-seed Cedar Shoals.
In other Region 1 vs. Region 5 matchups, champion Warner Robins is hosting fourth-seed St. Pius X, runner-up Benedictine is hosting thirdseed Marist and New Hampstead travels to sixth-ranked region champ Tucker.
Ware County’s February 12 victory followed a 67-55 loss to third-seed Warner Robins in the semifinals. The Demons (18-7) knocked off topseed Benedictine (20-5) 61-51 in the championship game for their eighth win in nine games.
The Gators swept the regular season series with fourth-seed New Hampstead (13-15) winning 8675 at home January 7 and 71-62 in Savannah January 29.
Gators ...................80 New Hampstead.....55 Jarvis Wright, Tezhan Bolds and Sibari Williams joined Jackson in double figures with the quartet combining for 63 points to outpace the Phoenix.
Wright (three of Ware County’s eight treys) scored 12 of his 16 points in the first period. Bolds (two treys) followed with 14 points. Williams (two treys) netted 12 points. Al total, the Gators had 10 players reach the scoring column.
New Hampstead had a trio of players reach double figures — all scoring 14 points. Antoine Youmans, Kentavious Woodbury and Rashaun Truell tied for the team lead.
The action was fast and furious in the opening 16 minutes. Ware County jetted out to a 25-18 lead through the first eight minutes. The Gators outpointed New Hampstead 21-17 in the second stanza to take a 46-35 halftime lead.
The scoring slowed considerably in the third period with the two teams combining for just 23 points. Ware County padded its margin by five points outscoring the Phoenix 14-9 to lead 6044 through three quarters. The Gators reclaimed its scoring touch in the final period outscoring New Hampstead 20-11.
Darius Ward was next in the scoring column for Ware County finishing with eight points. Tayshaun Franklin chipped in three points. Leo Gardner and Davion Jones each scored two points. Luke Hinley and Elan Jones canned a free throw apiece.
