The timeworn adage that it’s tough to beat a team three times in a season rang true Saturday night — in Apalachee’s favor.
The Lady Wildcats (9-7, 1-2), twice-beaten by Cedar Shoals this year, upended the Lady Jaguars 56-53 in a huge road win in Athens.
“It was a great win for the girls Saturday,” coach Michael Parks said. “Cedar had beaten us twice this year, once regular season and in the championship game of the East Jackson Christmas tournament. All the games have been close and this one was no different.”
Buoyed by the victory, the Lady Wildcats play Flowery Branch on the road Friday and host rival Winder-Barrow Saturday in Apalachee’s first home game since Dec. 17. Apalachee lost to the Lady Bulldoggs 50-48 in the first meeting. The Lady Wildcats then entertain subregion-leading Madison County Tuesday.
Apalachee led Saturday’s nip-and-tuck contest 29-25 at the half and 41-35 after three quarters in picking up its fourth victory this year in games decided by six points or less.
Three Lady Wildcats reached double figures as Apalachee moved to two games above the .500 mark.
Lacresha Mayweather led the way with 14 points, while Aliya Ballard and Saboyce Shelton both added 11.
Shelton provided a big contribution from the free throw line, going 8-for-8 as Cedar Shoals fouled frequently down the stretch.
To that end, Parks noted that Ballard “once again did a great job of taking care of the ball at the end of the game.”
Kiarra Sanford also helped out offensively, adding nine points.
This was the second of a two-game road stint in Athens. Apalachee lost to Clarke Central 70-50 Friday on a tough shooting night for the Lady Wildcats.
Parks said his group didn’t play with a lot of energy against the Lady Gladiators and missed too many shots around the basket.
“Against a team of the caliber of Clarke (Central), you can’t miss easy shots or many shots at all...they are very good,” he said.
Shelton led Apalachee with 15 points, while Ballard added 11 and Sanford finished with nine.
Apalache trailed just 16-10 after a quarter but struggled significantly in the second period, getting outscored 22-8 to trail by 20 at halftime.
