The Winder-Barrow High School Bulldoggs seemed to be on cruise control Tuesday night against visiting Madison County,
however, the Red Raiders suddenly got hot from 3-point range and cut what had been at one point a 19-point deficit at the end of the third quarter down to five points with 3:42 left in the contest.
The Bulldoggs would hold on, however, and put a 69-57 win in the record book to the relief of coach Eli Connell.
“I’m not sure if we dropped our focus or what,” the WBHS coach said after the game. “We were rushing on offense at times.”
The Bulldoggs were 12-of-20 from the foul line in the fourth quarter and managed to stay ahead of Madison County who got back in the contest on some long distance shooting.
“We need to handle playing with the lead better,” Connell said. “We have to value each possession. We did do a good job defensively in the paint which is something we have worked on in practice.”
Jodd Maxey paced WBHS with 20 points along with five blocks. Shun Thurmond finished with 16 points including four 3-pointers in the first half. D.J. Butler added 15 points and Alonzo Nelson stepped up his game with 11 points and seven blocks.
Connell said he was glad to see Maxey and Nelson step up their defensive efforts.
“We have worked with them on their ability to make blocks without sending them into the stands,” the coach said. “Playing under control is a key.”
Tuesday’s win followed two rival games against Monroe Area and Apalachee last weekend.
WBHS, who is now 12-5 overall, defeated Monroe Area Saturday 55-43. Thurmond led the team with 24 points against the Purple Hurricanes.
“We were able to pull away at the end,” Connell said of the Monroe Area game.
The Bulldoggs led just 36-35 after the third quarter.
“We were glad to get the win but we will be working to get some things straight,” the coach said.
WBHS girls 39
Madison County 55
The Lady Bulldoggs were unable to keep up with a strong Madison County team Tuesday night.
Mimi Hill scored 15 points to lead WBHS while teammate Lauren Hamel finished with 12. Brittany Witt added seven points.
The Madison County girls led 11-10 after the first quarter but had pushed the advantage to 27-17 by halftime. After WBHS cut Madison County’s lead to 15-13 on a 3-pointer by Witt at the 6:30 mark of the second quarter, the Lady Doggs would be outscored 12-4 the remainder of the half.
Madison County had taken complete control by the end of the third quarter building a 41-24 cushion.
The Lady Bulldoggs did defeat Monroe Area for the second time this season Saturday recording a 53-41 win.
Hill scored a career high 28 points in the contest.
Up next
The Winder-Barrow High School varsity basketball teams will travel to Clarke Central Friday for games beginning at 7 p.m. before returning home Tuesday to face Habersham Central for a 6 p.m. start.
