VALDOSTA— It was a night of high-intensity basketball at the Crimson Coliseum  Saturdayas Tift County’s Blue Devils took both the girls’ and boys’ matchups against Lowndes’ Vikings in dramatic fashion. The girls’ game was an intense battle that went into double overtime before Tift prevailed 57-55, while the boys’ game ended with a one-point margin, 43-42.

TIFT 57, VIKETTES 55

Lowndes’ Vikettes played one of their closest game of the season, pushing the Lady Devils to the brink in a battle that ultimately ended in a heartbreaking 57-55 loss in double overtime for the Vikettes.

The game was a rollercoaster from the start, with both teams trading leads. Kaci Demps ignited the Vikettes early with a three-pointer and a steal leading to a layup, but Tift’s Jalaya Miller answered with a deep three of her own to help the Blue Devils take a 23-17 halftime lead.

Lowndes clawed back in the third quarter behind the efforts of Kayla Jackson and Shamiaha Webb, closing the gap to 35-29 heading into the final quarter. Bryanna Thomas’ steal and layup brought them within three, and Demps’ clutch and-one tied the game at 35-35 with a few minutes left in the game.

The remaining time in the fourth quarter was filled with a free-throw battle, with both teams trading points. A pair of free throws from Tift’s Mackenzie Holliday tied the game at 40-40, sending it into overtime.

In the first overtime, Lowndes took a narrow lead, but Tift’s Miller responded again, sinking crucial free throws to push the game into double overtime. Tift ultimately pulled ahead on a deep three-pointer from Miller and free throws from Ke’nashah Mitchell and Makayla Bryant. Despite a last-second three from Aryana Thomas, Lowndes fell just short in a heart-stopping finish.

Miller was the hero for Tift, scoring key buckets throughout the night, while Demps and Jackson fought valiantly for the Vikettes.

TIFT 43, VIKINGS 42

The boys’ game was another tight contest, with Tift County narrowly escaping with a 43-42 victory over Lowndes.

Lowndes started strong, jumping out to a 5-0 lead early in the first quarter with contributions from Kaden Martin and Tarrell Green Jr. But Tift responded with an 8-2 run, taking the lead at the end of the first quarter.

The Blue Devils pushed their lead in the second quarter, with Marshall Howard leading the way as they entered halftime up 19-13. The Vikings, however, roared back in the third. Isaiah Camon drained back-to-back three-pointers, and Green hit a buzzer-beater under the basket to bring Lowndes within one, 33-32, entering the final period.

Wyatt Ferguson put up a clutch three-pointer to tie the game at 35-35, and a back-and-forth battle ensued. With under a minute left, Camon gave Lowndes a slim 42-41 lead from the free-throw line.

In the game’s defining moment, Tift’s Kaden Lawson drove into the paint to regain the lead with just 20 seconds remaining, putting the Blue Devils back on top. Lowndes had one last possession but could not convert, falling by just one point in a heartbreaking loss.

The Vikings will host Richmond Hill in their region game on Tuesday, February 4.