VALDOSTA — After taking the title of region champions, the Lowndes Vikettes stayed home to face the Brookwood Broncos in the first round of state playoffs. After a 52-42 victory, the Vikettes will be home again Friday night for the second round.

With this win, the Vikettes face off against Carrollton’s Lady Trojans. Carrollton stands at an overall of 24-4, and it will be a tough game. The winner moves on to the elite eight against Walton or Milton.

Despite the visitors’ 7-21 record, the game was intense for the 19-4 overall Vikettes. The players on both sides gave their all, making it an exciting match for the spectators. Ultimately, the Vikettes emerged victorious after a strong performance in the second half.

The game started slow with a three-pointer from Brookwood’s Kate Phelon two minutes into the first quarter. The Vikettes took the lead with inside plays from Kimora Wade and Kayla Jackson. The Broncos would take the first quarter 7-6 with a rebound from Phelon and a jumper from Jalisa April.

Both teams focused on offense in the second quarter, with Aryana Thomas shooting a 3-pointer to gain momentum. However, it was answered by Phelon with a 3-pointer of her own.

Both teams traded inside points throughout the quarter, but April took the lead back from Lowndes with a well-placed 3-pointer. With halftime approaching, Jackson responded with a 3-pointer of her own, giving Lowndes a one-point lead of 20-19 to end the half on a high note.

The second half would be a return to form for the Vikettes as they began to take control of the game.

Wade put up two 3-pointers in the third quarter, and Thomas put up four points from the paint. The Vikettes gained the first sizable lead of the game, going 38-29 into the final quarter.

The Vikettes stayed hot in the final quarter, starting with a three-pointer from Kaci Demps. Phelon scored a 3-pointer, followed by Vikettes’ Wade running into the paint for back-to-back inside baskets.

The Broncos could not overcome the point deficit in the final quarter after the lead the Vikettes had built in the third quarter. The game ended with free throws from Demps and Thomas solidifying a ten-point lead to finish the game 52-42.