The 6-A Glynn Academy Lady Terrors came into Richmond Hill looking for an upset of the 7-A Lady Wildcats but fell short in their attempt as the Lady Wildcats held off for a 45-38 victory.

That is not to say that the Lady Terrors did not have them on their heels. “This team was very scrappy,” said head coach Sara Jones. “Glynn kept coming at us all night, but we did not roll over.”

Glynn would lead for much of the first quarter and keep the Lady Wildcats from ever gaining any momentum, as both teams stayed chippy with one another through much of the first half of play. “We have to remember to play within our control,” Jones said. “That first half, we let too many outside factors control and make an impact on the game, and it caused us to not play our game to our standard.”

The proof was in the pudding, as the Lady Wildcats would stay in foul trouble for much of the half, and allow the game to remain close at 17-13. “We let them know at the half that we have to focus on the game,” Jones said. “We have to control the controllables to be successful.”

After the break, the Lady Wildcats seemed to come out with the same intensity– but this time it was much more controlled, as Jones instructed, and it would allow for the team to remain more focused on what needed to be done, rather than things that they could not change. “That is something that sort of cost us against Statesboro,” Jones said. “We had a bit of foul trouble there as well and did not play sound defense. We have to be more intentional with every rep as a team and as a staff, and that starts with how we practice. We have to work on these things because how you practice is ultimately how you play.” 

While the Lady Wildcats had more focus on the correct things in the second half, the Lady Terrors were making it difficult to pull away with any lead. Sophomore Martin Davis seemingly carried her team in the third, even hitting a three to tie things at 21 midway through the period. 

However, senior captain MaKiyah Matthews would go right back down the court and bank a three-pointer of her own, to take the lead to 24-21. “She can control the game in so many ways,” Jones said. “While she is the point guard and the game runs through her, she can also be a dynamic scorer, as you saw her hit that three. She calls a lot of the plays on the court for us and she does a great job leading. She was voted as one of the team captains by the players, so she has their respect as well.”

Matthews would also hit a shot just before the buzzer at the end of the third to increase the lead to 32-25, heading into the final period of play. Like a heavyweight fight between two prize fighters, both teams were throwing blows in the fourth period. Neither team could seem to maintain the rhythm for very long, as both teams would put up thirteen points each in the final eight minutes of the game, but the Lady Cats would move on to 3-1 after the final buzzer.

“I am very glad for the win,” Jones said. “I would rather take an ugly win over a pretty loss any day!” 

Sophomore Cullen McCormick would have a great game with several rebounds as well as a few made buckets along the way. Sophomore Emari Brown had multiple steals on the evening, frustrating the Lady Terrors and making it hard to get a pass off, as well as a couple of made baskets. 

The Lady Wildcats (3-1) will play host to the Effingham Lady Rebels (1-1) 0n Friday, December 1. Tip-off is scheduled for 6pm.