DOUGLAS — Tift County basketball teams earned a double victory Friday, Dec. 8, at Coffee, with the Blue Devils winning their first game of the 2023-24 season. Theirs was a close, 50-44, game against the Trojans with the Lady Devils winning over Coffee, 52-29.
Tift was to travel to Westover Tuesday before finally playing at home. Sumter County will be in Dec. 15 and Valdosta comes to The Palace Dec. 16.
Head coach Tommy Blackshear did not have stats available Saturday morning, but said Corey Howard and J.J. Lamar were among his top scorers.
“We are extremely pleased with the win,” said Blackshear in a text message. “We had too many turnovers and got behind by 7, but we didn’t drop our heads.”
He said Coffee outplayed the Blue Devils early in the game, but Tift began to increase its intensity in the 2nd period.
“Late 3rd and 4th quarter, we started to get some control of the game,” Blackshear said. Tift was ahead by as many as 14 points, but late run by Coffee resulted in a closer finish. “I am proud of my guys for hanging tough and competing hard for most of the game.”
Julie Conner-Johnson’s crew broke out of a close 10-6 1st quarter to lead 21-12 at intermission. The Lady Devils outscored Coffee in every period, including 31-17 in the 2nd half. Coffee never had as many as 10 points in any quarter.
Jimmya Cushion scored 17 points to lead the way, 13 in the 1st half. Jalaya Miller had 12 points and nearly had a double-double with 8 rebounds. Caitlyn Burgess scored 9 for the night.