HOCO Lady Bears sweep Veterans: Hardy’s Warhawks prevail late in nail-bitter win at Houston Co.

Daniell Johnson and the HOCO Lady Bears are on a tear, as their 2021-2022 campaign progresses. The Lady Bears are 12-2 overall and are also undefeated in the region at 2-0.

On January 11, Veterans and Houston County basketball teams were set to battle on the hardwood for the second time this season. Both schools first met on November 30, during which the Lady Bears won 67-45.

In the most recent game for the Lady Bears, HOCO beat the Lady Warhawks 52-38 in “Bear Down” country. The HOCO Lady Bears shot 46% from the floor, while the Lady Warhawks shot 28%. The Lady Warhawks from Kathleen fell to 7-10 overall after being swept by HOCO. Coach Brett Hardy and the Warhawks also met on November 30, but won the first meeting against the HOCO Bears, 69-43.

Tuesday’s meeting between these two schools was closer than expected. The Bears got off to a hot-start, but the Warhawks started the game sluggish on both ends of the hardwood. The HOCO Bears converted early steals into points and was very active on the offensive boards. Tajh Williams and the Veterans Warhawks pulled away with a nail-bitter in their 56-52 win at HOCO. The HOCO Bears fell to 4-10. This win completed a season sweep for Veterans, while the Warhawks improved to 10-7 (1-0) on the season.

Coach Brett Hardy and the Warhawks from Kathleen are third place in region 1-AAAAA (1-5A). The Warhawks are 6-1 at home, 4-0 on the road, but have lost all of their games at neutral sites. The Hawks are averaging 60 points per game, but the turnovers have been costly for them. Though the Warhawks are playing good basketball, Veterans averages 16 turnovers per night. Coach Hardy’s team is playing great, but could play better. I’m sure this basketball organization will clean up the miscues before heading into the regional and state playoffs.

The Hawks have scored 1,103 points this season, but have allowed just 17 points over a thousand. Three players for the Hawks continuously shined this season: Tajh Williams, Aaron Jones and Jeremy Sams. Williams is averaging 17.7 points, four rebounds, two assists, 1.5 steals and has played in 15 games this season. He scored a season-high 23 points, three assists and four rebounds against the Coffee Trojans in their win on January 4.

Aaron Jones has continued to dominate on both ends of the floor. In 12 games, he is averaging 11.4 points, 8.3 rebounds and two blocks per game.

Jeremy Sams has continued to play good basketball, as well. In 13 games, he is averaging 10.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, three assists and two steals. Coach Brett Hardy and the Veterans Warhawks will played at home on Friday January 14 against a 3-10 Ware County Gators.

Game statistics were not available before the Houston Home Journal’s press deadline on Friday morning. The Warhawks will play again tonight against the Warner Robins Demons. Tip-off will be at 6:30 p.m.

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