Veterans can’t get out of the hole against Valdosta, loses second of two in Cliff Hutto Memorial Bear Brawl

WARNER ROBINS — The Veterans Warhawks (5-5) were once winners of five out of six games, but after Saturday’s 75-55 loss to Valdosta (2-5) in the Cliff Hutto Memorial Bear Brawl they are losers of two straight.

 Head coach Brandon Driggers cited a lack of toughness against Long County, and the Warhawks started out flat against the Wildcats and fell into a 13-point hole by the end of the first quarter.

Valdosta felt little to no resistance at the basket, and on the other end Veterans struggled to grapple with a 2-3 zone defense that came out at times.

“Once again the biggest thing is being tough. Then when we weren’t physical enough we got beat again,” Driggers said. “So at the end of the day, if you’re not tough, you ain’t gonna win even a rec ball game. So that’s the bottom line, man, toughness. We’re not tough right now.”

The Warhawks drilled a three-pointer in the second quarter to cut the lead to 14 with 3:33 until the break, but by halftime they were staring at a 19-point hole that they never could get out of.

In the third quarter Valdosta had a sequence with an easy bucket, a Veterans turnover and foul and a three-pointer to put them up 48-28 with 4:30 left in the period.

Warhawks freshman Tre Embry hit a free throw to cut the lead back down to 19, and after a timeout they found a little bit of success offensively. They worked Jaivyon Dawson into the middle of the zone for back to back scores and were able to get out in the break for another, but they just couldn’t keep up defensively.

The Wildcats led by as many as 27 in the fourth quarter before eventually taking their second victory of the season.

UP NEXT

Veterans will stay on the road and head down to Perry on Monday, Dec. 15 at 7:30 p.m.

Valdosta keeps their travel streak up with a trip to Ware County on Tuesday, Dec. 16 at 7:30 p.m.