In a commanding performance, the Lowndes Vikings defeated the Tift County Blue Devils 63-42 in Valdosta on January 24, 2024. A pivotal second quarter, where the Vikings outscored their opponents by 27 points, allowed them to maintain their position at the top of their region. Tift County struggled with turnovers, particularly against the Vikings’ aggressive press defense, which contributed to their downfall.
The Vikings took control early, with junior Lloyd Johnson and senior Wyatt Ferguson combining to sink six three-point shots in the first half. Their scoring spree helped transform a competitive first quarter into a decisive lead. Lowndes head coach Reshon Benjamin praised his team’s versatility, saying, “We know we’re capable of playing a lot of different styles, both offensively and defensively.” He emphasized the importance of shooting well, noting that it allows the team to open up their offense.
By halftime, the Vikings held a substantial 40-22 lead. The momentum continued into the second half, as Tarrell Green Jr. extended the lead with a highlight-reel dunk, prompting Tift County coach Charles Burkett to call a timeout with 53.9 seconds remaining in the third quarter. A quick 10-0 run at the start of the fourth quarter, featuring six points from sophomore Bubba Brown, put the game further out of reach at 60-32.
The Vikings’ victory marked their seventh consecutive win, improving their record to 15-5 overall and 5-0 in their region. Brown led the team with 12 points and nine rebounds, while Kaiden Brown also contributed 12 points. Ferguson finished with 11 points, and Kaden Martin added six points and ten rebounds.
On the other hand, the Blue Devils fell to 6-9 overall and 1-4 in Region 1-6A. Kaden Lawson led Tift County with 16 points, scoring 14 of those in the second half.
Vikettes Hold Off Late Charge from Lady Devils
In the girls’ game, the Lowndes Vikettes secured a narrow 49-42 victory against the Tift County Lady Devils. Despite leading by as many as 15 points, the Vikettes faced a fierce comeback from Tift County, who cut the deficit to just three points with 56 seconds left in the game.
The Lady Devils’ resurgence was marked by a 25-13 scoring run in the fourth quarter, culminating in a three-pointer by Mariyah Batts that brought them within striking distance. After calling a timeout, Lowndes head coach Courtney Fleming designed a play that allowed leading scorer Kayla Jackson to score a critical layup, extending the lead back to five points.
Jackson, who recorded her fourth double-double of the season with 19 points and 10 rebounds, played a vital role in the team’s success. Despite the pressure, she delivered four crucial free throws in the final seconds to help secure the win. “I’m proud of her effort, proud of our effort as a whole, but definitely got to cut down the turnovers,” Fleming remarked after the game.
Tift County’s Batts finished strong, scoring eight of her 11 points in the fourth quarter. Jaziyah Johnson led the Blue Devils with 12 points. The loss dropped Tift County’s record to 11-8 and 2-3 in the region.
Both teams are set to return to action soon. Tift County will face off against Valdosta this Saturday, January 27, with the girls’ game starting at 18:00, followed by the boys at 19:30. The Vikings will host Colquitt County on the same day, with the girls’ game also tipping off at 18:00.
