Lady Warriors commemorate new year with region win
The Gordon Central girls continued to rise in the Region 7-AA standings with a win over Pepperell, while the boys struggled offensively in defeat.
The Gordon Central Lady Warriors basketball team started the new year off right with a 51-42 7-AA region win at Pepperell on Friday night.
The Lady Warriors (5-5, 4-1 in Region 7-AA) got a huge game were out of Mercedes Coleman, who had 28 points on the night, with 17 coming in the first half.
The first half was a defensive battle, as Gordon Central led at the half by a score of 20-15. The Warriors came out firing in the second half though, as they went on a 14-0 run in the quarter to open up the game in the third quarter.
The Lady Dragons were able to close the gap to eight points in the fourth, but the Lady Warriors defense intensified and they were able to hold on for the victory.
Cara Crump was the other Lady Warrior in double figures with 12.
The Lady Dragons (6-7, 2-4 in Region 7-AA), were led by Kinsey Wright, who had 17 points. Chloe Jones also had double figure for Pepperell with 12.
Gordon Central head coach Coach Matt Swanson said the key to tonight’s game was trying to get everyone involved in the offense.
“Mercedes had a big game for us, since she had 17 of our 20 in the first half, but the main key was trying to get everyone involved in the second half,” Swanson said. “I warned the girls before the game with it being the start of a new semester that they were going to be flat, but luckily we were able to get the victory tonight.”
Swanson is hoping that this win will help them keep moving in the right direction.
“I hope this win will help us succeed the rest of the year. We still haven’t had a full team effort this year, but I think we are getting there. I’m looking forward to the second half of the season to try and keep getting better.”
The Lady Warriors will look to continue their winning ways with another region contest against the Lady Wolverines of Dade County at home on Tuesday.
The Gordon Central Warrior basketball team traveled to Pepperell Friday night, but were defeated by the Dragons by a score of, 74-48.
The Warriors, (2-14, 0-5 in Region 7-AA), battled hard throughout the game, but some costly turnovers in the second half led to the Dragons big win.
The first half was a back and forth game, with both teams exchanging baskets. Pepperell was clinging to a 28-20 lead at the half.
The Warriors were able to pull within five during the third, but the Dragons put together an 8-0 run in the third to pull away from the Warriors to lead by 15 at the end of the period. Pepperell then closed the game by putting up 26 points in the final period for a final score of 74-48.
Gordon Central was held in check for most of the night on offense by a stifling Dragon defense.
The Warriors leading scorer on the night was Christian Marycz, who finished with 16 points on the night. Gabe Ross was also in double figures for the Warriors with 13, all coming in the second half.
The Dragons (4-8, 2-4 in Region 7-AA), were led by Andrew Wilder with 33 points. Payton Rhodes also contributed big to the win with 18 points of his own.
Gordon Central will look to get back on track when they host Dade County at home on Tuesday.