Tifton – In the first pairing against Turner County in a few years, Tift County’s Lady Devils played host to the Turner County Lady Rebels. Tift entered the non -region game against the neighbors from Ashburn at 6-1. Turner entered at 1-1 on the season, defeating Irwin on Tuesday 74-8.
Tift would jump out early, leading 16-7 at the end of one. Coach Julie Conner got production from post Kaysie Harrelson in the frame, scoring 9 of the 16, including a 3-pointer. Pivotal guard Audrey McElhaney was scoreless in through one, but found her stride in the remainder of the game. McElhaney would score six before the break, and Tift would dial long distance as Joslyn Reyes and Emma Choate each hit from beyond the line. The Lady Devils carried a 30-14 lead to the locker room.
In the second half, McElhaney settled into the driver’s seat, and Tift ran.The Lady rebels broke for 13 points in the Third, but were unable to gain any ground as the quarter closed 56-27.
Turner surged in the 4th quarter, but fell 70-47. Tift hit for 7 three point shots, including two apiece from Denise Duggins, and Emma Choate in the win. McElhaney finished with 15, Harrelson with 11, and Reyes with 10. The free throw shooting was the only phase of the game where the Lady Devils struggled. Tift just .38% from the line (9 for 24). Tift improves to 7-1, and will face Lee County in the palace tonight. They defeated Lee 53-42 on 12/2 in Leesburg.
Fred Lloyd scores two of his eight points in the victory over Turner. Danielle Hunt/SGSN
In the nightcap, Eric Holland’s Blue Devils squad entered at 5-1, while Turner’s Boys entered at 1-1 after falling to Irwin in Ocilla on Tuesday.
Tift would start at a gallop, outscoring Turner 24-10 in the first frame. Preston “PJ” Horne handled the heavy lifting, scoring 10 points in the period. Turner would never close the gap, as Tift ran for a 18-8 second quarter. Ahead 42-18 as the 3rd began, Holland put his squad in cruise control. They would win 78-42.
Tift was led by Horne with 20, junior guard Trey Taylor added 11 points off the bench, and Micah Johnson added 9 points. Tift accrued 30 points from three point land in the win. Tift improves to 6-1, and will face Lee County tonight at the palace. Game time is 8:30. Turner falls to 1-2, and will face Atkinson County in Pearson tonight.