VALDOSTA —
When Valdosta and Lowndes meet on the basketball court, it’s usually a battle.
The last time the two crosstown rivals met on the hardwood, both the boys’ game and the girls’ game went down to the final seconds in front of a packed house at Lowndes’ gymnasium.
Tonight, the two schools meet again, this time on Valdosta’s court. The girls teams will clash at 6 p.m., with the boys to follow afterwards.
“It’s Lowndes-Valdosta. You’ve really got to love it,” Valdosta boys head coach Antonio Haynes said. “The rivalry is intense — football, basketball, everything.”
Fans who wish see the game are encouraged to arrive early, so that they can get in the door. Nearly every time Valdosta and Lowndes play in Valdosta’s gym, the stands are overflowing with fans and there is a line of people at the door waiting to get in.
Lowndes’ girls can wrap up at least a share of the regular season Region 1-AAAAA championship with a win tonight.
The Vikettes, who are 21-1 and ranked No. 9 in the latest AAAAA state poll, are 5-0 in region play. With a win tonight, they would be two games ahead of second-place Colquitt County with two games left to play (they face the Lady Packers on Tuesday).
But before the Vikettes can worry about a region title, they must worry about getting past the Lady Wildcats, and Lowndes head coach Shan Garner says that won’t be easy. In the last six games between the Lady Wildcats and the Vikettes, five of the games were decided by four points or less. Garner is expecting the Valdosta girls’ best effort tonight.
“It’s going to be a war every time,” Garner said. “They play hard. They’ve got a lot of pride. Both groups do. ... Effort wins these games — in the paint, rebounding, loose balls.”
When the teams met on Jan. 20, Lowndes built a double digit lead in the second half, but Valdosta staged a fourth quarter rally and cut the LHS lead down to two points with 1:27 left in the game. But the Vikettes held on at the end, and earned a 47-44 victory.
Valdosta heads into the game with a 14-4 record. None of the Lady Wildcats’ losses have been by more than six points. They are 3-3 in region play, and a win would be big for them.
“They’re going to play. No doubt,” Garner said. “(They’re going to) come out hard, and rebound hard, press and attack and use their athleticism. Always.”
The Lady Wildcats lead the region in scoring, averaging 56 points per game (Lowndes is second, averaging 54 points). The Vikettes lead the region in scoring defense, allowing just 36 points per contest.
Valdosta’s boys have won both of their games against Lowndes this year. But the two games were very different. On Nov. 23, the Wildcats routed the Vikings by 37 points, 90-53. Almost two months later, on Jan. 20, Valdosta trailed for much of the game, then grabbed the lead with less than two minutes remaining and won 72-69.
“They always say it’s hard to beat a good team three times. I totally understand that,” Haynes said. “We beat them early by 37 (and) only beat them by three last time. They played us well. They’re going to be ready to go tomorrow. So our kids have to come out and be ready to go as well.”
The Wildcats enter tonight’s game with a 16-5 record. They are 4-2 in Region 1, and sit in second place, 1.5 games behind first place Tift County. Valdosta still has a chance to win the region, but will need to win its final two region games (including one against Tift) and have either Coffee or Colquitt County upset Tift.
Lowndes is 12-10, and just 1-4 in region play. But Haynes and his team know they can’t underestimate the Vikings, especially considering how close the Jan. 20 matchup was.
“Lowndes has a great team. They’re talented down the roster,” Haynes said. “I know they’re going to be ready to play.”
Valdosta lost Clarence Smith, its leading scorer, to injury shortly before its January game with Lowndes. Smith hasn’t played since then, and is questionable for tonight’s game. Losing Smith was difficult for the Wildcats, who have had to adjust to playing without him.
“Our whole team has stepped up since we lost Clarence,” Haynes said.
Local Sports
Related Photos
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Valdosta’s Avery Wells (2) goes up for a basket while being defended by Lowndes’ Tremayne Tippins (left) during the teams’ meeting in January. The Wildcats won that game 72-69. Hubby Brooks | The Valdosta Daily Times
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Lowndes guard Danyelle Jones (11) shoots a jump shot in the lane during a game versus Tift County earlier this season. Jones and the Vikettes visit crosstown rival Valdosta today at 6 p.m. Ed Hooper | The Valdosta Daily Times
Discussion
’Cats, Vikings clash tonight
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