1 of 5

Lowndes' Dallas Montgomery (2) in a standoff with Leon High School's Lee Thomas.

Lowndes' Aryana Thomas on the defense against Lee County's Jada Ridley.

Jahmarcus Walker utilizes a quick pass to Marcus Black to blitz down the court.

Kam Jackson attempts to lock down senior guard Jack Manausa.

Aryana Thomas drives down the court with Lee point guard Camya Hutcherson at her side.

VALDOSTA— The Charles Cooper Invitational brought some thrilling holiday basketball action on its second day as the Lowndes High Vikettes dominated the Lee County Trojans 59-39, while the Vikings fell in a nail-biting 53-48 showdown against Leon High School’s Lions.

VIKETTES

On the first day of the Invitational, the Vikettes looked unstoppable with a 94-16 stomp over Leon High School’s Lions. The Vikettes brought more of that same energy into day two with confident plays and good defense. 

The Vikettes came out aggressive from the tip-off. Kaci Demps opened the scoring with two free throws, followed by a clean three-pointer from Aryana Thomas, putting the Vikettes up 5-0. The scoring continued with Demps, Kayla Jackson, and Shamiaha Webb extending the lead to 11-2. 

Despite a layup from Lee County’s Taliyah Porter and contributions from Karrington Flowers and Camya Hutcherson, the Trojans struggled to match the Vikettes’ pace. A quarter-ending three-pointer from Aryana Thomas capped a strong opening with the Vikettes leading 15-7.

Lowndes extended their dominance in the second quarter, with Shamiaha Webb and Kayla Jackson making key rebounds and shots. Bryanna Thomas hit a mean three-pointer to further energize the team, while Keci Demps and Payton Fleming added to the scoreboard with consistent offensive efforts. Lee County’s Taliyah Porter and Jaila Hicks tried to keep their team in the game, but the Vikettes pulled away with a commanding 38-16 lead at halftime.

The Trojans found some life in the third period. Camya Hutcherson opened with a sharp three-pointer, followed by solid contributions from Taliyah Porter and Jaila Hicks. Despite Lee County’s best efforts, Lowndes answered back with shots from Keci Demps and Kayla Jackson, along with a massive three-pointer from Leah Jones. At the end of the third, the Vikettes led 50-32, thanks to some consistent scoring.

The fourth quarter began with a defensive battle, but Lee County’s Taliyah Porter broke through with a layup. Jaila Hicks continued her strong shooting with a three-pointer and a rebound layup, narrowing the deficit to 52-39. However, the Vikettes responded in style, with Bryanna Thomas hitting another three-pointer and adding a layup late in the game. A final surge from the Vikettes secured the 59-39 victory.

VIKINGS

The Vikings entered day two, riding the momentum of a victory over Cypress Creek High School. However, the Lions from Leon High School rose to the challenge, matching the Vikings’ energy, and clawed their way to a hard-fought victory in a closely contested game.

The game tipped off with a sharp three-pointer from the Lions’ DeKendrick Williams, quickly answered by the Vikings’ Anthony Barrese. Kam Jackson added a jumper for two, but the Lions kept pace with another three-pointer to keep the game close. 

Tarrell Green Jr. and Jahmarcus Walker contributed with key shots, including a Walker three-pointer that put the Vikings ahead 10-6. The Lions, led by Williams and Alphonza Gammons, remained competitive, but a strong finish by Kaiden Brown with an “and-1” saw the Vikings end the first period with an 18-11 lead.

The second quarter began slowly as both teams clamped down defensively. Tarrell Green Jr. broke the drought with a jumper, extending the Vikings’ lead to 20-11. However, Williams kept the Lions alive with two quick steals and a layup. Dallas Montgomery then nailed a three-pointer to widen the Vikings’ lead again, but Graham Roe and Alphonza Gammons kept the Lions within reach. At halftime, the Vikings held a 25-18 advantage.

The Lions came out strong after halftime, with Noah Eckhart hitting back-to-back three-pointers to close the gap to 25-24. Kam Jackson responded for the Vikings with a layup and a free throw, restoring some breathing room. Tarrell Green Jr. and Graham Roe exchanged buckets in a hard-fought quarter, with Kaiden Brown and Jackson adding crucial free throws for the Vikings. The period ended 38-30, with Lowndes maintaining a slim lead.

The Lions began the final quarter with a statement three-pointer from Williams, followed by a jumper and a free throw from Gammons to pull within two points, 38-36. Kam Jackson countered with a layup, but Williams hit another three-pointer, bringing the Lions within one. The crowd was electric as Tarrell Green Jr. and Jackson kept the Vikings ahead, but a clutch dunk and three-pointer from Jackson increased Lowndes’ energy. 

However, the Lions showed resilience, with Roe and Gammons hitting key shots to tie and eventually take the lead. Roe’s three-pointer and Gammons’ layup put the Lions ahead for good, and stalling tactics in the final moments secured the 53-48 victory for Leon High School.