The Lady Gators came into the game Friday night coming off a two-game win streak seeking to force the loss for the undefeated Lady Knights standing with a 12-0 record.
The Lady Gators opened the game with a fast-paced look to find a rhythm, but they were met with an aggressive defensive presence on both ends of the floor by Frederica Academy’s Lady Knights. Frederica Academy controlled the pace of the game, fundamentally finding the shots they were looking for from the three-point line throughout the first. The Lady Gators were pressured with defense from the jump as the Lady Knights forced multiple turnovers to stretch the lead. By halftime, their defensive intensity had given them a solid 30-17 lead.
Coming out of the break The Lady Gators came out of the locker room with a sense of urgency and turned up the energy with a physicality throughout. Junior shooting guard Rylie Ann Claxton heated up on the courts with bombs from the three-point point line and lockdown defensive pressure. Junior small forward Johnnie Nutting was able to find her rhythm with the consistent double teams from Frederica Academy. The Lady Gators took charge finding their flow inching their way back into the game with a score of 49-43 with one minute left in the game. The energy levels from the home crowd were rumbling throughout, but it was not enough to stop the offensive barrage of the Lady Knights closing the game 52-43. This loss by the Bulloch Academy Lady Gators showcased how they can compete with the best in the conference. The Lady Gators now have a record of 3-8 with the season steadily progressing.
On the men’s side, The Gators did not waste any time bringing a stellar offensive pace to the game against Frederica Academy setting the tone of the game. This offensive pace is no surprise to anyone after the team's massive blowout win against Pinewood Christan finishing the game 71-43. The Gators moved the ball effectively, finding many points early from fast breaks and pure grit forcing their way to the free throw line to stretch the lead to 29-18 to finish the half. Sophomore newcomer Akiryon Watkins and Senior point guard Jackson Sheppard took charge to set the pace for the team in the first half.
In the second half, The Gators continued applying pressure offensively bringing the crowd into the game with excitement as the lead grew 40-28 in the third. The Frederica Academy Knights did not go down without a valiant fight as senior Rashon Jackson brought the heat to the Gators pushing the pace to bring the team back up. The crowd was completely on their feet as both Jackson of Frederica Academy and Watkins of Bulloch Academy went head to head in a show-stealing match-up. Each going back and forth at each other on both ends of the floor leading to Watkins stunning the crowd with an authoritative dunk to close the game. The whole gym rumbled from the momentum of the massive slam leading the Gators to close out the game 55-41. Akiryon Watkins finished out the game with 17 points and Rashon Jackson finished with 21 points. This win leaves the Bulloch Gators with a 6-8 record and seven more games left in the season.
The Gators will be back in action on Tuesday, January 21, for their next region at home against the St. Andrew's Lions.