Region 1 champion Lady Gators host 1st Rd. vs. St. Pius X
WARNER ROBINS — Ninth-ranked Ware County outscored thirdranked and previously unbeaten Warner Robins 12-4 over the final eight minutes to win the Region 1-AAAA championship 4639 here Wednesday night inside Weatherspoon Gymnasium.
The title is the third straight for Ware County after hoisting Region 1AAAAA trophies the previous two seasons. The Lady Gators, 64-19 during the run, knocked of Bradwell Institute in 2022-23 and Statesboro last year.
The Lady Gators (23-4), in stretching their current winning streak to six games, ended a nine-game skid to Region 1 top-seed Warner Robins (24-1). Ware County’s only victory over the Demonettes, a 67--48 decision, came February 19, 2013 in the first round of the state tournament in Warner Robins.
The Lady Gators fell 5944 January 3 on the road and 52-40 at home January 18 to Warner Robins in the regular season. Ware County is 10-2 since the start of 2025.
The first round of the state tournament begins Tuesday, February 18. The Lady Gators hosted Region 5 fourth-seed St. Pius X (16-12), losers in three of their last four games, at 5:30 p.m. The winner advances to face the winner of Region 8 runner up East Forsyth (11-16) and Region 2 third-seed Union Grove (20-9) in the second round Friday, February 21.
The three other pairings for Region 1 vs. Region 5 has fourth-seed Wayne County traveling to second- ranked region champ Marist (26-2), winners of 18 straight. Third-seed Perry (14-11) goes to runner- up Northview (19-9) in Johns Creek. Runnerup Warner Robins (24-1) is hosting third-seed Southwest DeKalb (17-8).
No. 9 Lady Gators ..46 No. 3 W. Robins .....39 Trailing 35-34 entering the final quarter, Ware County surrendered just four free throws to the Demonettes in storming back
for the victory.
A triple from Bailey Denton (nine points), her second of the game, was followed by a basket from Rhianna Mayteka (teamhigh 11 points) and two baskets by Charlacia Jones (eight points) helping the Lady Gators open up some breathing room.
Alexis McNeal helped seal the win scoring her three points from the charity stripe inside the final minute going 3-for-4. Ware County made 10-of-11 free throws (91 percent) hitting its first nine.
Meanwhile, Warner Robins struggled with free throws converting just 13-of-26 (50%). The Demonettes were 4-of-10 in the fourth quarter and 9-of-18 over the final two periods.
Warner Robins jumped out to a 16-12 first quarter advantage with the Lady Gators staying within striking distance with a 6-for-6 performance at the charity stripe. Ware County countered with a 16-10 scoring advantage in the second period to grab a 28-26 halftime lead.
The Demonettes scored their only two baskets of the second half during the third quarter outpointing Ware County 9-6 to claim a 35-34 lead.
Contributing to the Lady Gators’ offensive attack were Shardell Vickers with six points, Kyla McKelvin with four points, and Lydia Munford and Bre Hill with three points and two points respectively Tinitee Thomas paced Warner Robins scoring 11 of her game-high 17 points in the first quarter. KerVeanna Slaughter added nine points.
