VALDOSTA — After their last meeting in the ‘Cat Cage two weeks ago, Valdosta’s Wildcats and Lowndes’ Vikings faced off again in the Crimson Coliseum. Although the location was different, the results of the bout stayed the same, with a win for the Vikettes and a win for the Wildcats.
Having just played a game the day prior, the Wildcats had no break going into this rivalry match. The Vikettes took over their game against the Lady ‘Cats with a final score of 60-28. They go on to be 5-0 for their Region 1-7A run, looking unstoppable every time they are on the court.
Like last time, the boys’ varsity match was a close game and gave some great moments to the crowd. Valdosta’s Wildcats ended up taking the game 50-47.
Vikettes 60, Lady Cats 28
Valdosta started the game with a nice 3-pointer from Nadia Gardner. The Vikettes would begin to play a versatile game, with quick runs into the paint from players such as Kayla Jackson and Aryana Thomas. Jackson would also shoot a clean 3-pointer, followed by another from fellow Vikette Laila Foster.
Vikette’s defense would not allow a basket from the Lady ‘Cats in the second quarter, with Valdosta’s points only coming from free throws. Lowndes’ Kimora Wade took off, scoring twice on inside plays with a 3-pointer to cap off her second-quarter scoring. The half ended 26-11.
Wade and Kaci Demps would put up three-pointers in the third quarter, with Valdosta still putting their points on the board primarily through free throws. Wade, Jackson, and Thomas took over the game with their scoring, with the three athletes totaling 43 points. Eighteen of those points came from senior Wade.
The Lady ‘Cats picked it up in the fourth quarter, with Gardner leading the charge. Gardner put up a layup and a three-pointer back-to-back. The Vikettes continued to score, but Gardner refused to give up, putting up another three-pointer for Valdosta.
The game flowed better in the fourth, with noticeably fewer stoppages and fouls. Aryana Thoma and Bryana Thomas racked up the score with dashes into the paint. Vikette Leah Jones ended the game with back-to-back layups for an ending score of 60-28.
‘Cats 50, Vikings 47
The boys’ varsity game stayed close with a big win in the third quarter that gave the Wildcats a lead into the final quarter. The two teams traded leads multiple times throughout. The last minutes of the first half were a decisive moment in the game, with the two teams trading three-pointers.
The two teams were tied 16-16 with three minutes left in the half. It looked to be anyone’s game at that time. However, the Wildcats’ defense stepped up, and their offense would stay strong in the third quarter, leading to a sizable lead of 34-27 going into the final quarter.
After back-to-back three-pointers from the Vikings, they nearly tied the Wildcats at 48-47. Time would not be on the Vikings’ side as the game ended shortly after with a score of 50-47.
Valdosta’s Wildcats continue their regional run in a sure-to-be interesting game against the Colquitt County Packers on Feb. 2.
Lowndes’ Vikings will play a non-region game against the Lincoln Trojans (Tallahassee, Florida) and then continue to another regional game against Richmond Hill on Feb. 2.