Andalusia battles Trojans in close area games

Andalusia hosted area opponent Charles Henderson where both the boys’ and girls’ squads played tight contests with the Lady Bulldogs securing a three-point win and the boys falling by only four.

Andalusia 42, Charles Henderson 46
Defense and physical play were on full display during the Bulldogs matchup with Charles Henderson Friday night. The two teams battled throughout, but it was the Trojans who had the edge in the end, 46-42.

After Charles Henderson put the first six points on the board to open the game, the Bulldogs started to warm up and cut the lead to one point, 6-5, with just over five minutes to go in the first period. A three-pointer by Trojan Tyler Cross was the difference in by the end of the opening period with the score standing at 15-12.

Baskets were rare in the second period. Andalusia gave up only one basket in the period with a three-pointer by Carter Ford. Andalusia also had trouble scoring, hitting only one basket by Cadariyus Love. The Bulldogs did benefit with four free throws to overcome the early deficit and tie the game at 18 going into the half.

The Trojans began to pull away in the third, outscoring the Bulldogs 16-9 in the period. A three-pointer by A.J. Berry, and another buzzer-beater half-court shot by Laeton Smith helped keep the Bulldogs within striking distance going into the fourth period, 34-27.

A couple more three-pointers — one by Love and another from Calvin Daniels — were key in the Bulldogs outscoring the Trojans in the fourth, but it was not enough to overcome the deficit as the game ended, 46-42.

Love was the leading scorer for the Bulldogs with 14. Nashaun Wilson and Xavier Hourel each finished with six points.

The loss makes Andalusia 3-1 in Area 3 play and 11-6 overall. The Bulldogs will host Greenville in another area contest Friday, Jan. 24.

Lady Bulldogs 29, Lady Trojans 26
The girls’ teams played a tight game throughout, but in the end, it was the Lady Bulldogs securing a three-point victory, 29-26.

Andalusia took the edge in the first period with Kelsie Horwath scoring four points. A three-pointer by Lady Trojan Raeghan Worley kept the Lady Trojans close, 8-7, at the end of the opening period.

Second-period scoring was separated by only one point with the Lady Bulldogs once again outscoring Charles Henderson by a single point, 5-4, to take a two-point edge into halftime, 13- 11.

Both teams had their most productive scoring in the third. Jaidyn Berry’s seven points in the period helped Andalusia increase its lead to 24-20 going into the final period.

Charles Henderson managed to outscore the Lady Bulldogs in the final period, but only by a single point, 6-5, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Lady Bulldog lead as they went on to the 29-26 victory.

Berry was the leading scorer for the Lady Bulldogs with nine. Horwath was right behind with eight and Destini Hourel added six.

With the win, the Lady Bulldogs remain perfect in Area 3 with a 4-0 record. They are 15-3 overall. They will host Greenville in another area contest on Friday, Jan. 24.