VALDOSTA — Following their last regional game against Valdosta High School, the Vikings returned home to face the Colquitt County Packers in an intense doubleheader. It was a great night to be a Lowndes fan, with the fierce games netting wins for the girls and boys. The Vikettes controlled their game from the start, ending 74-49. The Vikings won theirs 54-51 after one of their most intense games of the season.
VIKETTES
The Vikettes started strong against the Lady Packers with a three-pointer from Aryana Thomas. Lowndes built a substantial lead early with inside plays from Kimora Wade. Colquitt County’s Amareyia Knighton put up six of the Lady Packers’ eight first quarter points. The first quarter ended 17-8.
A Vikette to recognize would have to be Aryana Thomas, scoring 19 points with a field goal percentage of 70%. Other high scorers were Wade with 17 points and Kaci Demps with 15.
Thomas, Wade, and Demps would take over the second quarter as the Vikettes continued their lead. Colquitt County’s Amira Walters-Smith attempted to keep the Packers in the game, shooting 14 points total.
The Packers stepped up in the third quarter, starting with a three-pointer from Knighton. They did not allow the rampant scoring from Vikettes, and the game turned competitive.
Vikette Kayla Jackson played well in the paint, putting up five points. Two three-pointers from the Packers’ Jamya Moore saw them outscore the Vikettes in the third period. However, the quarter still ended 51-35 in Lowndes’ favor.
The final quarter was a return to form for the Vikettes, with the team continuing to run up the scoreboard. Walters-Smith and Knighton continued to score for the Packers, with Walters-Smith shooting a three-pointer and then stealing for a layup. The game finished 74-49, another big win for the Vikettes.
VIKINGS
The Varsity boys’ game produced an intense game to end the night. The two teams constantly swapped leads, leading to an exciting final quarter. The game started with early points from the Packers’ Ja’shar Kinsey and Jakari Byrd. Byrd would prove to be a problem for the Vikings’ defense.
Lowndes would need to catch up. However, an insane dunk from Kam Jackson instantly built up the crowd and the momentum the Vikings needed, ending the first quarter 11-8 with the Packers barely ahead.
Early plays from Lowndes’ Kaden Martin and Holden Hiers would take the lead for the Vikings. A three-pointer from Jackson solidified that lead for the rest of the quarter.
Vikings Keshawn Arthur and Jackson continued to rack up points, with Isaiah Camon making back-to-back sets of two free throws. Lowndes put up 19 points in the second quarter to Colquitt County’s eight, ending the half 27-19 for the Vikings.
The Packers returned from the half looking for revenge, with Kinsey putting up a layup to start the quarter and gaining possession for a deep three-pointer. Two inside plays by Byrd disrupted the lead the Vikings had worked so hard for.
Byrd would continue to be a problem, constantly keeping the Packers ahead. A three-pointer from Colquitt County’s Cason Harden and a hard run into the paint by Byrd totaled 20 points for the Packers in the third quarter alone and seven for the Vikings. Going into the final quarter, 39-34 for the Packers.
A rebound and free throw from Camon set Arthur up to take the lead back with a three-pointer. The game stayed close, with a slight lead formed for the Vikings halfway through the quarter. Another huge dunk came from Rashaud Adams to make the score 49-43 with three minutes left.
The Vikings started to run the clock with a minute and a half left. However, a three-pointer from the Packers’ Zay Williams made the last minute of the game a nail-biter. Colquitt called timeout with seven seconds left in the game, the score being 54-51. Unable to make up the points needed, the game ended in a Viking victory.
The Vikings travel to Richmond Hill High School on Jan. 19 for their next regional game. The Vikettes start the night at 5 p.m., with the boys to follow.