Basketball Shorts: Dougherty, Deerfield-Windsor sweep

Dougherty Dominates Cairo in Basketball Doubleheader

The Dougherty Trojans cruised to a pair of decisive victories Friday night in Cairo. The boys’ team overwhelmed the Syrupmakers 86-37, while the Lady Trojans rolled to a 69-36 win.

The Trojans jumped out to a commanding 15-3 lead in the first quarter and were never seriously challenged. Thirteen different Trojans contributed to the scoring, led by senior point guard Juwuan Jinks with 17 points. Jeremiah Kitchen added 11, while Jaquavus Hallman and Jayden Miller chipped in 10 points each.

The Lady Trojans led 26-17 at halftime but blew the game wide open in the third quarter, outscoring Cairo 28-11. Senior guard D’Asia Simmons led the charge, scoring 12 of her season-high 31 points in the period. Simmons also recorded four steals. Her younger sister, Dariona Simmons, and Teaylia Hawkins added 10 points apiece. Hawkins and Amiyah Jackson each pulled down eight rebounds as Dougherty controlled the boards.

Dougherty will host Westover on Tuesday, with the girls tipping off at 6 p.m.

---

Deerfield-Windsor Sweeps Valwood in Valdosta

VALDOSTA – Lane Sceals hit a clutch three-pointer and two free throws in overtime Friday night to lift the Deerfield-Windsor Knights past Valwood 51-49. The Lady Knights had an easier outing, defeating Valwood 43-21.

In the boys’ game, the Knights led 31-24 entering the fourth quarter, but the Valiants rallied, outscoring Deerfield-Windsor 20-13 to force overtime. The extra period was tightly contested, but Sceals’ free throws—Deerfield-Windsor’s only free throws in overtime—proved to be the difference. Sceals finished with 12 points, while Mason Johnson scored 11 and Jack Moore added 10.

The Lady Knights dominated from the start, outscoring Valwood 11-2 in the first quarter and taking a 21-6 lead into halftime. They extended the margin to 37-14 in the third quarter and coasted to their seventh win of the season. Senior point guard Hampton Rushton led the Lady Knights with 22 points, including seven of eight free throws, while Harper Coleman added 11.

Deerfield-Windsor will host Southland on Tuesday and Tiftarea on Friday in Albany.

---

Monroe Splits at Randolph-Clay

CUTHBERT – The Monroe Lady Tornadoes secured a dominant 61-33 win over the Randolph-Clay Lady Red Devils on Saturday night, but the No. 5-ranked Red Devils edged out Monroe’s boys 60-58 to protect their home court.

Kie’Aundria Acree powered the Lady Tornadoes with 32 points, 15 rebounds, and six assists. Taylor McKinzy added 21 points and seven steals in the commanding win.

In the boy’s game, Monroe grabbed an early lead but eight points second-quarter points from Jalen Gibson and six more from Tyrion Smith helped the Red Devils close Monroe’s lead to just three at halftime, 26-23. The Golden Tornadoes maintained that lead heading into the final quarter but the Red Devils trio of Smith, Gibson and Jesus Daniels scored 20 points and Randolph-Clay came from behind to win.

Gibson finished with 22 to lead the No. 4-ranked Red Devils (12-2). Smith added 16.

Lammond Seadrow scored 18 to lead Monroe (8-8), Lorenzo Still contributed 17, and Bratlen Burns added nine.

Monroe will host Peach County Friday night and Bainbridge Saturday night.

---

Westover Tops Godby Again

ALBANY – The Westover Patriots handed the Godby Cougars of Tallahassee their second loss of the season, beating them 57-51 Saturday night in Albany. The Patriots had previously edged out Godby 56-54 in Tallahassee earlier this season. Godby is now 12-4 on the season, with two losses coming at the hands of Westover.

Jalen Holmes led the Patriots with 13 points, while Gregory Williams added 11. Aden Reese scored nine, and Bryson Carter and Mykell Hines contributed seven points each.

Westover will play at Dougherty Tuesday and will host Cairo Friday night.