GREYHOUND HOOPS
A drive back from a postseason game in the southeast part of Georgia can feel long, winding and dark. But the journey back to Gray late Friday through those small towns in South Georgia toward the midstate was a jubilant one for Jones County.
That’s because, for the second state tournament in a row, the Lady Greyhounds went to Waycross and came back with a win against Ware County. This time, the spoils of victory were even sweeter for Jones County. In a game marked by scoring runs from both sides, Jones County had just enough in the end, holding on to win 34-32.
Even more gratifying? JCHS, 23-6 after Friday’s win earned a quarterfinal matchup for this past Tuesday on its home floor against Midtown.
Friday’s win followed up a dominant first-round romp last Tuesday against McIntosh as the Lady Greyhounds wore down the Chiefs in a big way in the second half. JCHS won 63-32, outscoring the Chiefs 25-4 in the third quarter alone that came on the heels of a 5-0 run just before halftime.
“That gave us great energy,” Lady Greyhounds head coach ChoRhonda Gwaltney-Harris said. “In the third quarter, we knew we’d have to hit shots.”
The defensive dominance focused on McIntosh’s dynamic scorer, Kendall Davis.
“My worry was she would come in here and beat us by herself,” Gwaltney-Harris said. “She’s a very good player. I watched her beat Northgate (in the region tournament) by herself. They were down by 17 and brought them back and hit a three-pointer for them and won the game. I knew that we’d have to do something different.”
The Chiefs not only did not have an answer for the Lady Hounds’ defense, but breadth of scoring, as well. Amaris Ridgway had 18 points with Kimmya Adams scoring 10 of her 12 points in the third quarter and Autumn Coleman chipping in 10. Jones County’s success from the outside was also balanced with Aubrey Norris, Ridgeway and Coleman draining three pointers.
“Everyone hit some shots. I think everyone did their part,” Gwaltney- Harris said.
