Ware County Gators

FORSYTH — Ware County’s Gators split their first two games here at the three-day Mary Persons Holiday Basketball Tournament.

The Gators (5-5) opened with a 44-37 loss to Salem (3-7) Tuesday, December 20. Ware County bounced back Wednesday, December 21, to record a 74-62 win against Northeast-Macon (2-7).

The Gators were awaiting to see who they would play in Thursday’s tilt.

Salem 44

Gators 37

The Seminoles outscored Ware County 18-7 in the fourth quarter to overcome a four-point deficit for the victory.

The Gators claimed a 9-6 lead at the end of the cold-shooting opening period. Salem battled back in the second stanza using a 14-11 scoring advantage to tie the game at 20-all.

Ware County won the third quarter outpointing the Seminoles 10-6 to take a 30-26 lead. Salem followed with an 18-7 push over the final eight minutes.

Brandon Washington was the lone double-figure scorer for the Gators finishing with a game-high tying 14 points. Delvin Denton followed with nine points while Darius Ward and Tay Franklin bagged six points apiece. Dedric Jackson added two points.

Salem was paced by Elijah Smith’s 14 points and 11 points from Emmanuel Henry.

Gators 74

Northeast 62

Damien Williams scored 21 points leading four Gators in double figures in the win over Northeast.

The Raiders’ Amani Brown overcame a scoreless first quarter scoring the nylons for a game-high 34 points with 27 coming in the second half.

Glenden Hadden followed Williams’ lead finishing with 17 points. Ward added 15 points and Washington chipped in 11 points.

Ware County raced out to a 19-5 lead after one quarter holding the Raiders without a field goal. The Gators continued to score easily in the second stanza using a 26-14 advantage to build a 45-19 lead.

Northeast started chipping away at the deficit in the third period outscoring the Gators 19-14 to close the 26-point halftime margin to 59-38. Brown scored 17 points in the final period as the Raiders outpointed Ware County 24-15 for the final margin.

Preston Harper was next in the scoring column for the Gators with three points. Franklin and Denton netted two points apiece.