Lady Warhawks road to the Final Four will have to go through Eagle’s Landing

Tuesday night in McDonough will ultimately tell the tale of the Veterans Lady Warhawks season. If they win at Eagle’s Landing the story will be one of redemption and return to the Final Four. In both of their playoff games during this run they have fallen behind to only come back and win. If they don’t it will be about a lost opportunity. Veterans has won 26 games, gone undefeated at home (not including the regional tournament), will graduate their most experienced team in program history. If this isn’t the season to take full advantage of, then when? “Our experience is definitely a factor,” said Lady Warhawks head coach Nicole Miranda. “Having been there before certainly helps.” The program had been to the state finals in 2016, losing the title game to Americus-Sumter. “It gives a reference point and coachable moments in preparation. Team chemistry and trusting one another is also huge.” The Lady Warhawks also qualified for the 2015 Final Four, where they lost a close game to Carrollton at the buzzer.

Veteran’s postseason path has not been as smooth. The Lady Warhawks are in the Elite 8 because of their experience down the stretch of games. Against Griffin during a 47-44 first round victory on the road, the Lady Warhawks were trailing as late as the three-minute mark. Late baskets by seniors Tamia Luckey and Stacie Jones, and interior defense by senior Keliyah Johnson and junior Zykeria Jenkins helped seal the deal. Late-game free throw shooting (The Lady Warhawks did not shoot free throws particularly well at Griffin) helped the team win in overtime, 67-62, against Rome Thursday. Having made it to the Elite 8 last season, there are five players on this team that played in that loss at Buford. They know what it takes to win at this point in the state tournament. “I think with the tough region schedule and travel we have to play during the regular season, that has prepared us to some degree for playing on the road,” said Miranda. “Of course you’d rather be at home, but we have a strong team chemistry and at this level, winning is tough regardless of where you play.”

The Lady Eagles, 21-8 overall, are waiting and along with them will be a home court advantage as good, if not better than the one the Lady Warhawks currently enjoy. The Lady Eagles are 10-0 on their home court this season, recently winning both of their playoff games -against Effingham County 69-31 and Riverwood 65-50- by an average of 16.5 points per game. Eagle’s Landing has been equally as impressive away from home during the second half of the season. The Lady Eagle’s have not lost since Jan. 24 -that was at an out-of-state tournament to Nazarath High School, a power program out of Brooklyn, New York- and last lost to a team from in-state on Jan. 17 (at Jones County). 

The winner gets a ticket to Fort Valley State University, Saturday night, and more importantly earns a trip to the Final Four. “We are going to get after it and compete to win,” said Miranda. 

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