IT WASN’T a region win, but Jefferson got a much-needed momentum boost nonetheless.
Led by Skylar Evanson’s 27 points, the Lady Dragons (13-8, 5-3) throttled a red-hot Johnson team 49-25 Tuesday on the road to snap a two-game losing skid.
Jefferson faces two big subregion contests this weekend, playing at Elbert County Friday and at East Jackson Saturday.
“I’m very proud of our girls,” coach Jason Gibson said of Tuesday’s victory. “Hopefully, we can carry it over to this weekend’s games.”
Jefferson has beaten Johnson three times this year. Gibson pointed to the Lady Dragons’ defensive effort in this latest win over the Lady Knights.
“I thought we did an excellent job defensively,” Gibson said. “Johnson is a much-improved basketball team and one of the hottest teams in the area, so holding them to 25 points was a great defensive effort.”
Then there was Evanson’s huge night offensively.
“Skylar played outstanding and seemed to be everywhere on both ends of the court,” Gibson said.
Bailey Boyd added nine points.
As far as subregion play, things haven’t been as great recently. Jefferson dropped two key contests over the weekend, falling to Elbert County at home one night after losing to Hart County on the road.
Against the Lady Blue Devils, the Lady Dragons played excellent defense, according to Gibson, but struggled offensively in a 38-32 loss. Bethany Whitlock’s bucket with 5:13 left in the game cut Elbert County’s lead to 34-30, but the Lady Dragons didn’t score again until seven seconds left in the game.
“I felt like we had a lot of chances, but we just had some crucial mistakes,” Gibson said.
No Jefferson players reached double figures in this defensive contest. Sarah Wood led the Lady Dragons with seven points.
The team suffered from a lack of points in the paint.
“We didn’t get the typical scoring that we get from some of our kids,” Gibson said.
Against Hart County the previous night, Jefferson posted 27 points in the final period in its 57-49 loss to Hart County as a rally from a 42-22 third quarter deficit fell short.
Evanson led the Lady Dragons with 17 points, while Jakeia Wilson added 16 – all of which came in the second half.
Jefferson trailed 24-9 at the half in what was a frustrating first two quarters of basketball for the Lady Dragons offensively.
“We could not make a shot from anywhere,” Gibson said.
Part of Jefferson’s problem was Hart County unpredictable — and often successful — three-point shooting.
“They shot the ball extremely well,” Gibson said.
Meanwhile, Jefferson struggled with turnovers in what the coach called “the worst ball-handling game we’ve had in a long time.”
But — down 20 — the Lady Dragons caught fire in the fourth quarter, whittling the lead down to seven with 1:41 left. It was all part of a 40-point second half for the Lady Dragons.
But Hart County hit enough free throws to prevent Jefferson from threatening any further.
The loss to the Lady Bulldogs epitomized Jefferson’s season thus far, Gibson said.
“It’s kind of how this team has been all year,” Gibson said. “We’ve been kind of streaky.”
