Indians Are Elite 8 Bound
It was big week for the basketball teams of Vidalia High School as both are moving on to the Elite 8. The Lady Indians won in the first round over Swainsboro, and then took their Sweet 16 game against Elbert County. The boys won over Towers in the first round and then took out Worth County in the Sweet 16. For the first time since 2015, both Vidalia basketball teams have advanced to the GHSA Elite 8.
With the wins, the Lady Indians hosted the Lady Falcons of East Laurens in the Elite 8 on Tuesday after presstime. The boys will play on Wednesday night against cross-county rival Toombs County at 7:30 p.m.
Girls vs. Swainsboro
Against Swainsboro, the Lady Indians overcame a slow start to prevail over the Lady Tigers for the 4th time continued from page
this year. Cori Warner led the way for Kourtnee Williams’ team with 19 points, four rebounds, four steals, and two assists. Hannah Nichols also had a big night with 17 points, three rebounds, and three steals.
VHS struggled to get the offense going as they led just 7-4 after the first quarter against Swainsboro. In the second, things started to fall, and they increased their lead to 21-15 by the end of the first half of action.
The two teams kept pace with each other in the third quarter with VHS taking a 39-33 lead into the fourth quarter. VHS went on to win the game, 58-49, over Swainsboro to move into the Sweet 16.
Boys vs. Towers
The VHS boys rolled over the Titans of Towers in the first round of the playoffs. VHS held a 1712 lead at the end of the first, but they blew the game open in the second quarter, outscoring Towers 23-8. That put the Indians on top, 40-20, by the end of the first half.
In the third, Towers did eat into the lead, but the Indians were still up 53-39 at the end of the third. VHS went on to win the game, 72-45, after pulling away in the fourth quarter.
For the Indians, Rashad Brown led the way with 20 points, with Brycen Burns adding 17 and Jayon Coleman 14.
Girls vs. Elbert
In the girls game, the Lady Indians overcame a sluggish start and a poor shooting night to move into the Elite 8 for the first time since 2000. Kourtnee Williams Lady Indians shot just 35% from the floor including a 2 for 9 night from the three-point line and committed 44 turnovers, but were able to score 25 points off 41 Elbert County turnovers to secure their 23rd win of the year.
VHS led the game 8-3 after the first qaurter, and at the end of the first half, the Lady Indians were on top, 17-14.
VHS increased their lead in the third quarter, and were in front, 30-21, heading to the fourth. VHS took the win, 4438, over the Elbert Lady Blue Devils.
“It wasn’t always pretty, but their resilience and determination never wavered,” said Williams. “The girls made the plays when it mattered most, and refused to quit. A win like this shows the heart of our team, and we’re proud of the fight they brought to the floor last Friday.”
Hannah Nichols led the scoring for Vidalia with 13 points and 4 steals, while Mischa Wardlaw added 9 points and 4 steals. Cori Warner led the team in rebounds, pulling down 12, while adding 5 steals, 5 assists and 3 blocked shots.
Boys vs. Worth
On Saturday, the Indians trailed 29-27 at the half, but then outscored Worth 23-17 in the 2nd half, to advance to the Elite 8 for the first time since 2022. “Our guys played their tails off,” said Vidalia Head Coach Tommy Dalley. “We came in with a game plan and they executed it the way we knew they could.” VHS was up 14-12at the end of the first quarter, but Worth came back in the second as the Indians trailed 29-27 at halftime.
Neither team could get much going in the third as they combined for just 15 points. VHS closed the Worth lead to one by the end of the third, 36-35. In the fourth Vidalia outscored Worth, 15-10, as they took the win over the Rams, 50-46.
Jayon Coleman led the way for the Indians with 23 points, including three 3-pointers and a 6 for 8 night at the line. Jamorion McLendon also had a 6 for 8 night at the line finishing with 10 points for the Indians, including a couple key free throws down the stretch.
But the afternoon belonged to the defense as the Indians held the Rams below 50 points for the first time this year, including holding Ashton Williams, who came into the game averaging 30 ppg to just 19 points. “We got after it,” Dalley said. “We knew we had to find a way to limit Williams, but at the same time not allow someone else to take over the game, and I think we did that pretty well.”
The Indians will now face their biggest rival for the 4th time this year, with a chance to play in Saturday’s Semi Finals in Milledgeville. “This is what you play for. Anytime you play them, it’s a big game, but with a chance to play for a spot in the semi’s, it becomes even more special,” Dalley said.
