UPDATE: In a stunning display, the Long County Blue Tide overwhelmed the Worth County Rams on December 4, 2023, in the second game of the 10th annual Lee County Roundball Classic. The Blue Tide’s relentless full-court pressure turned an early deficit into a commanding 79–24 lead by the end of the third quarter, signaling a decisive victory.
Worth County began the match with promise, taking an early 6–1 lead thanks to junior Cully Hendley, who nailed back-to-back 3-pointers. However, the momentum shifted dramatically as Long County settled into its defensive strategy. Once the Blue Tide ratcheted up their intensity, the Rams struggled to maintain composure, leading to a sharp swing in the game’s dynamics.
By the end of the first quarter, Long County had erased a five-point deficit, finishing the frame with a staggering 20–6 run to take a 21–12 lead. The domination continued into halftime, as they extended their lead to 46–18, showcasing their strength in the paint and securing numerous offensive rebounds.
The second half saw no respite for Worth County. Long County’s suffocating defense stifled any offensive rhythm the Rams attempted to establish. The Blue Tide capitalized on every opportunity, culminating in an electrifying alley-oop dunk followed by a 3-pointer from Jamere Martin late in the third quarter. The score stood at an overwhelming 79–24 as the quarter concluded.
Even with substitutions in the fourth quarter, Long County maintained their aggressive approach while Worth County finally found some scoring opportunities. Jamarie Brown and Kuami Wright managed some long-range shots, and Caleb Thomas ended the game with a deep three-pointer at the buzzer.
Jy’son Mallard led Long County with an impressive 24 points, while Martin contributed 16 points and Jeremy Rollins added 12 points. For the Rams, Hendley and Wright each scored 14 points, with Thomas finishing with 11 points.
Earlier in the day, Cairo narrowly defeated Central Macon 82–75 in overtime, highlighting the competitive nature of the Classic. However, this particular matchup was dominated by Long County, leaving Worth County with a 2–5 record for the season.
The Lee County Roundball Classic continues through Wednesday at Lee County High School, offering more opportunities for teams to showcase their talents and for Worth County to regroup after a challenging outing.
