Powerhouse Wesleyan too much for Lady Warriors
The LFO Lady Warriors participated in their third consecutive Class 3A state basketball tournament last Tuesday, but this year's run was short-lived as the Redand-white dropped a 72-45 decision to Wesleyan in Norcross.
The Region 7 champion Lady Wolves, who entered the contest ranked No. 2 in the classification by Sandysspiel.com, led by just four points after the first period. Christen Collins kept LFO in the game early with nine first-quarter points.
However, the size, skill and defensive prowess of Wesleyan came to the forefront after that.
They Green-and-gold limited the Lady Warriors to just six points in the second quarter and forged a 32-21 lead at the break before putting the game away by outscoring LFO, 25-9, in the third quarter.
Wesleyan's big three of Eva Garabadian, Bryanna Preston and Chazadi “Chit Chat” Wright scored 10, eight and seven points, respectively, in the quarter as Wesleyan opened up a commanding 27-point lead going into the fourth.
Garabadian, who has committed to Georgia College and State University, knocked down six 3-pointers and finished with 22 points, followed by Preston and Wright with 17 apiece. Wright has signed with Georgia Tech, while Preston is committed to Texas. Johanna Potter also added 11 for the Lady Wolves.
Collins had 13 points for LFO, whose season came to a close with
a 14-10 overall record. Christina Gass had nine points on three 3-pointers. Mercedes Thompson and Zoey Gray-martin scored six points apiece. Ziara Thompson added five, while four by Hope Alexander and two by Christal Collins rounded out the scoring.
In addition to losses by LFO and Ringgold, the rest of the teams in Region 6 also lost in the first round. Region champion Adairsville lost a 59-28 decision to Dawson County, while Coahulla Creek fell to Pickens, 71-46.