Lady Warhawks dominate Worth County to open up annual Cliff Hutto Memorial Bear Brawl

WARNER ROBINS — Veterans (2-6) did nothing short of dominate the visiting Worth County Lady Rams (2-4) on Friday to open up the annual Cliff Hutto Memorial Bear Brawl at Houston County High School in a 65-26 final.

One thing the Lady Warhawks haven’t been able to say so far this season is that they’ve dominated anyone. This was just their second win of the year, the first 61-54 over Perry.

The starters have been competitive, hanging with every opponent they’ve played despite five double digit losses. The problem so far has been when the reserves come in, like when they gave up a 25-9 run against Tift County.

Simone Sadler and Kiersten Rogers slid in the starting lineup against Worth County along with Francesca Jones, Ayonna Scott and Camila Vicioso. They executed the full court press well and the Lady Rams struggled to even advance the ball past half court.

While generating those turnovers was important to Veterans’ win, ball security was more so according to head coach Tracy Fendley.

“We capitalized on their turnovers and we didn’t make as many turnovers. That was huge for us,” Fendley said.

Rogers and Sadler were a big part of that.

“Kiersten Rogers handled the ball a little bit for us, which helped us out. And so did Simone,” Fendley said. “Simone’s just a freshman, Kiersten’s just coming back so I feel like we’re settling in, we’re getting better.”

They took a 14-2 lead into the second quarter despite some rough moments in the final minute or two of the first.

Fendley reached deep into the bench in the second period and the lead still ballooned into 29 by halftime as they continued to take advantage of Worth County’s turnovers.

The full court pressure waned in the second half but the Lady ‘Hawks were still able to score consistently both in the half court and off of takeaways.

Most of Veterans’ players that hit the floor scored, and Fendley called this one a “complete team effort.”

“We had three girls in double figures…almost everybody got in the book,” Fendley said. “We rebounded well, we were just in all facets of the game playing better.”

UP NEXT

Veterans will return to the Bear Brawl on Saturday to play Central-Macon in a big test at 4 p.m.

The Lady Rams will return home to host Irwin County on Saturday at 3 p.m.