Lady Warhawks fall short on final day of regular season, lose 56-41 to first place Harris County Lady Tigers

The last night of the Veterans Lady Warhawks regular season ended with a 15-point loss to region 1-AAAAA leading Harris County Lady Tigers. The region tournament starts on Friday at Warner Robins High School and the performance by the Lady Tigers on  this night is definitive proof that Veterans and the rest of the region better be on alert if they want a region tournament title. “We just played flat and sluggish as a team,” said Veterans head coach Nicole Miranda. “We had a few bright individual moments, but couldn’t find the consistency tonight. We are excited about getting a little time off to heal and rest to prepare for the region tournament.”

After being behind 15-5 after the first quarter courtesy of the hot start by Harris County senior center Jessika Carter who scored eight of her team’s first quarter points, the Lady Warhawks fought back to close within six points at halftime, 28-22. Veterans sophomore forward Stacie Jones was a big reason for the 17-11 second quarter scoring advantage as she consistently rebounded missed shots and converted three three-point plays in the process.

Harris County turned up the heat during the third quarter however, holding Veterans to just five points in a quarter for the second time in the game. Jones had another three-point play off of a rebound and put-back basket with 1:51 remaining in the period to bring the Lady Warhawks within 15 points but the leads would grow to 20 points to start the fourth quarter nonetheless.

Down 50-27, Miranda called a time out that seemed to wake her team up a bit with 6:54 remaining in the game. The Lady Warhawks would show why they are still considered a decent shot to win the region tournament next week by outscoring the Lady Tigers 14-5 the rest of the way. Spirited play by Veterans sophomore guard Tamia Luckey helped her team close the gap a bit. “I was pleased with our second quarter and the way we fought back,” said Miranda about her team’s improved late game effort.

Carter finished with 20 points and Jones scored a game-high 21 points to go along with 13 rebounds for Veterans. At 4-4 the Lady Warhawks finish in the third spot in the region standings and will be playing host Warner Robins High school (3-5 in region) in the first round of the region tournament.

Harris County (7-0) will play their final game of the regular season at Thomas County Central High School on Saturday. Thomas County lost 55-31 at Warner Robins on Friday night and remain winless in region play (0-7).