QUITMAN — The Valdosta High girls basketball team squeaked past Brooks County with a 44-43 victory Saturday night at the Trojans’ gym.

The game was tight throughout with the largest lead for either team being six points. Both teams entered the bonus in the third period and with the game tight, the outcome would be determined by which team could hit its free throws.

With the game tied at 41 with 36.3 remaining in the contest, the Wildcats’ Tatyanna Randall drew a foul on her shot attempt. She stepped to the line and split the free throws, giving her team a one-point nod at 42-41.

Valdosta’s Tiaera Phillips was fouled during her shot attempt on the Wildcats’ next possession. Phillips hit her first free throw with 23.8 to play, moving the Wildcats lead to 43-41. Her second try rimmed out but the Wildcats managed to rebound the miss and retain possession.

The Trojans fouled with 11.7 remaining, sending Laquesha Newkirk to the free throw line. She made her first and missed her second to give Valdosta a three-point cushion at 44-41.

Brooks County’s Jamie Chappell drew contact on the next possession, earning a trip to the free throw line to pull her team within one point — and she did just that.

After a Valdosta inbounds pass was deflected the Trojans stole possession back for one last chance to score and win, but it took the Trojans too long to get the ball out of traffic for a shot and the final buzzer sounded without Brooks County putting up a shot attempt.

“I thought we played lethargic at times,” Valdosta coach E.A. Wilcox said. “We had some calls that didn’t go our way but that’s a part of coaching, thinking you could have gotten a few more calls.

“I kind of look at tonight like we were Florida State’s football team. We just found a way to win.”

Brooks County coach Lamar Thomas said he was pleased to see his girls continue to grow on the court.

“We missed a lot of free throws tonight,” he said. “You can’t blame one possession as the cause of a loss but we’ll get back in the gym and continue to work on those free throws.”

Phillips and Denean Taylor scored eight points apiece for Valdosta. Alicia Gertman finished with 13 to lead the Trojans. Katelyn Mapp chipped in 10, and Sammantha Ryles and Taquajha Cannady both scored 7, respectively.

Valdosta (3-1) travels to play Pelham at 6 p.m. Tuesday. Brooks County (1-2) hosts Cook at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

Valdosta boys 75

Brooks County 32

The game between the Valdosta High boys and Brooks County was never in doubt. The Wildcats overwhelmed the Trojans to coast to a 75-32 win and remain unbeaten.

“You can never get comfortable,” Valdosta coach Antonio Haynes said. “It’s really so early in the season and we just want to go back and look at the film to see what we can improve on.”

Valdosta erupted from the tip, shooting out to take a 24-10 lead to close the first period. The Wildcats started the second period with a 5-0 run to create a 50-14 lead at the half.

Valdosta put together a 6-0 run in the middle of the third to press ahead to a 43-point lead.

The Trojans were held to 10 points in the third and eight in the fourth.

“We look at Valdosta with the tradition there and the blueprint they have is what we’re looking to establish for ourselves,” Brooks County coach Will Lewis said.

Valdosta takes its clean 5-0 record to face Pelham on Tuesday.

On the opposite end of the spectrum Brooks County remains winless at 0-3 and hosts Cook on Tuesday.