Tift County Lady Blue Devils (13-5, 2-0 in Region 1-AAAAAA)
The defending Region 1-AAAAAA Champion Lady Blue Devils are off to another terrific start, currently sitting at 13-5 and undefeated in region contests. So far in region play, the team has posted wins over Lee County and Lowndes, but the remainder of the schedule brings challenges from the rest of the region as well; Tift County still has two matchups with Valdosta, two with Colquitt County, and a rematch with the Vikettes.
Key Performers
Audrey McElhaney (PG): 13.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 2.4 APG
Dail Adaway (F): 6.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 2.0 BPG
Joslyn Reyes (SG): 5.0 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 2.0 APG
Lowndes Vikettes (12-6, 1-1 in Region 1-AAAAAA)
The Vikettes are off to an impressive start, currently holding a 12-6 record, including splitting their first two region contests; the team fell to Tift County in their region opener before rebounding with a close 57-55 win over Colquitt County.
Senior leadership is heavy on the Vikettes’ roster; returning to the team for their finals seasons are seniors Diera DeLoatch (torn ACL) and Faith Starling (pulmonary embolism). While both were on the bench to offer support throughout the 2014-15 season (the team went 11-15 last year, falling in the first round of the GHSA Class AAAAAA State Playoffs to Tucker), their physical presence on the court this year is much appreciated.
As with most schools, the remainder of the Vikettes’ schedule is loaded with region battles; six of the final seven games are against opponents from Region 1-AAAAAA. The Lowndes ladies have already topped their win total from a year ago, and with a healthy roster, they could easily make a return trip to the Region Championship game and make a statement in the state tournament.
Key Performers
Diera DeLoatch (F/G): 16.0 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 2.0 SPG, 2.0 BPG
Faith Starling (F): 13.0 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 2.0 APG
Taffany Smith (G): 12.6 PPG, 6.0 RPG
Colquitt County Lady Packers (10-7, 1-1 in Region 1-AAAAAA)
Through 17 games the 2014-15 Lady Packers compiled a record of 9-8; this year, the team has looked slightly better, going a game up in the win column. Currently sitting at 1-1 in Region 1-AAAAAA contests, the team looks to add to their early-season success in hopes of returning to the state tournament. In last season’s playoffs, the Lady Packers were able to send Newton’s Lady Rams home before falling in the second round to Parkview, who would reach the Final Four.
Leading the charge for Colquitt is the dangerous sophomore duo of Za’Nautica Downs and Diamond Hall, who together are responsible for 26 points and over 10 rebounds per game. Controlling the paint is senior Takerria Waters, whose team-high 9.1 rebounds per game are a jump-start to the Colquitt break.
Region contests will be the telling sign of the remainder of the season for the Lady Packers, as they look forward to matchups against Lee County, Valdosta, and last year’s region champions, the Tift County Lady Blue Devils.
Key Performers
Za’Nautica Downs (G): 15.9 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 4.3 SPG
Diamond Hall (SG): 10.1 PPG, 4.9 RPG
Takerria Waters (F/C): 8.7 PPG, 9.1 RPG
Valdosta Lady Wildcats (8-8, 2-3 in Region 1-AAAAAA)
After losing eight players to graduation in 2015, the Lady Wildcats are sitting at an even 8-8 through 16 games of the 2015-16 season. Most recently, they went 1-2 during the Vereen Christmas Shootout in Norman Park, Georgia, defeating East Gadsden (Havana, Fla.) and falling to Leon (Tallahassee, Fla.) and Newton (Covington, Ga.).
On one hand, the record can be looked at as a sign of trouble (last year’s team, which finished at 20-9, was 12-4 through the first 16 games of the season). On the other hand, many of the Valdosta faithful are optimistic for the team’s growth heading forward; this year’s team is currently at .500 while only boasting three seniors (Tykeria Holmes, Mariah Newkirk, and Mikayla Davis). Next year’s roster already looks hopeful as well; while the current leading scorer (Holmes) will be graduating, the next three leading scorers will all remain in uniform (current junior Desinee Arnold and sophomores Asia Harrison and Brianna Zackery).
The team is growing after losing a great deal of on-court leadership, but the young core that the Lady ‘Cats possess will surely prove to be of value over the remainder of the season and heading into 2016-17 campaign.
Key Performers
Tykeria Holmes (PF/C): 11.8 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 43% FG
Asia Harrison (PG/SG): 9.9 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 1.2 BPG
Desinee Arnold (SG/SF): 9.7 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 3.0 SPG
South Georgia / January 2016
2015-16 Season Recap (Thus Far)
GHSA Basketball
GHSA Girls Basketball: Region 1-AAAAAA
By James Washington
