Worth County sneaks by Dougherty

SYLVESTER — Even with their star player in foul trouble, the Worth County boys basketball team found a way to win. The Rams squeaked out a 66-63 victory over Dougherty Saturday night.

Worth got off to a fast start to open the game, hitting a trey which was followed by an Anfernee McLemore dunk that sent the home crowd roaring and gave them a quick 5-0 lead. Dougherty coach Ty Randolph didn’t like the way the momentum was going and called a timeout.

A buzzer-beater three at the end of the first gave the Rams a 23-11 lead.

After coming out hot in the first quarter, the Rams went ice cold in the second. They had just two baskets in the first five minutes of action. Dougherty was able to narrow the lead to 28-23 with a minute remaining in the half.

A half-court shot by Dougherty’s Dralandius Davis cut the Rams’ lead to 31-26 at halftime. Dougherty cut the lead to four points in the third quarter and trailed 53-49 at the start of the fourth.

With McLemore on the bench in foul trouble, Herald Super 6er Brandon Moore took over, scoring the teams final seven points in the quarter. He had 11 in the third quarter alone.

Worth was forced to play the majority of the fourth without McLemore. He fouled out with five minutes remaining in the game but not before a putback dunk for Worth’s first points of the quarter.

The Trojans took the lead with 4:50 remaining when Israel Shead slammed a missed shot home.

Six straight points by Tyree McKinney gave the Rams a 64-59 lead. But a last-second trey by Davis to tie the game was off the mark.

Worth had just six players score but five of them were in double digits. Kentarious Bailey led with 16 points while Moore chipped in 15. McKinney and Kidarias Gaint finished with 11 each. Despite being in foul trouble McLemore still finished with 10 points.

Dougherty’s David Quimby led all scorers with 22 points. Charles Porter also chipped in 15 for the Trojans.

The Rams also beat Dougherty earlier this season 59-49.

Worth County girls 51, Dougherty girls 40

The Lady Rams got a little revenge on Saturday night. After losing to Dougherty 48-27, earlier in the season, Worth won the second meeting.

The Lady Trojans had to overcome an early injury to guard Zetambria Hall. She was hit in the head while fighting for a rebound and laid on the floor for several minutes before being helped up by the trainer and walking off the court.

The teams were tied at six to end the first quarter and Worth went to the locker room holding a 15-14 lead.

“It was ugly but we won,” Worth County coach John Popham said. “I just got out of the locker room with them and said, ‘Sometimes we win pretty and sometimes we win ugly, but a win is a win.’”

The biggest lead in the first half was when Worth led by four points multiple times.

The Lady Rams came out in the second half and went on a 9-3 run to extend their lead. By the start of the fourth quarter, Worth was up 33-22.

Dougherty cut the lead to nine with two minutes remaining, but could not get any closer.

Kianna Lancaster led Dougherty with 12 points, while Jah’ne Brown finished with 11.

DeAundra Smith finished with 12 for Worth and Jasmine Ward added 11.