VALDOSTA — On Wednesday evening, The Crimson Coliseum at Lowndes High School was the site of an intense first round of the GHSA state playoffs. 

The Vikettes faced off against Marietta High School’s Blue Devils in a game defined by relentless scoring runs and big performances on both sides. In the end, the Vikettes’ came out on top in a close finish, 66-62. The Vikings fell behind early in their game against Cherokee High School’s Warriors. A strong effort in the second half brought the Vikings close to a comeback victory, but ultimately, they fell short.

Vikettes

Both teams wasted no time putting up baskets to set the game’s tone early. Led by Kaci Demps, the Vikettes started the game with a consistent string of baskets from the roster. The Blue Devils showcased their secret weapon, Leah DeWitt, who scored nine points from three-pointers in the first quarter and remained a scoring threat throughout the game. The first quarter ended with a slight Lowndes lead of 20-15.

The second quarter was a slower battle that the Vikettes would use to their advantage. Outsourcing Marietta 11-4, the Vikettes worked to shut down the Blue Devils’ shooting while also keeping consistent baskets coming in from Aryana Thomas and Demps.  

Marietta, however, refused to back down. Led by DeWitt and Kyann Senior, the Blue Devils clawed their way back in the third quarter, closing the gap to just nine points, 47-38. DeWitt’s three-point shooting continued to cause problems for the Vikettes, and in the fourth quarter, she helped Marietta surge to a five-point deficit.

With the game on the line, Lowndes responded in clutch fashion. Demps drove the ball into the paint for two points, then immediately stole it for a repeat basket, picking up an “and one” along the way. The Vikettes maintained their lead as time ran out, ultimately forcing Marietta to give crucial free throws that secured their victory, 66-62.

Vikings

The Lowndes Vikings took on the Cherokee Warriors in a high-intensity battle that saw the home team on the back foot for the first half of the game. Kam Jackson and Isaiah Camon, key shooters for Lowndes, were pressured hard from the start. Cherokee’s Braylon Luster and Sean Hamilton found their rhythm early to help the Warriors gain a 16-12 edge by the end of the period. 

The Warriors outscored the Vikings 17-7 in the second quarter, making the rest of the game an uphill battle for Lowndes. Good shots from Lowndes’ Jahmarcus Walker and Camon could not compete against the onslaught of three-pointers from Cherokee. 

Refusing to give up, Lowndes locked back in during the third quarter to outscore the Warriors 23-17. Jackson managed to find some good shots in the middle of the quarter alongside Walker. A six-point tear from Kaden Martin at the end of the third would put the Vikings in a position to take back the game.

In an intense finale, the Vikings put their all on the court to catch up; however, the Warriors matched their pace and halted any chances of a comeback. A big three-point basket from Lowndes’ Wyatt Ferguson gave a glimmer of hope to the home crowd, but with only a minute remaining, the Vikings could not capitalize. The game ended 56-50.

The Vikettes now carry Lowndes County’s place in the state playoffs, with their next opponent being Mill Creek’s Hawks on Friday at the Crimson Coliseum.