MACON -- If there were any questions about whether injuries to several key Buford players would affect the Lady Wolves against Brooks County in the Class AA semifinals Thursday night, the answers came in the first four minutes.
Buford opened the game with a 10-0 run and held the Lady Trojans to just 11 first half points en route to a 70-37 shellacking at the Macon Coliseum.
The three-time defending state champion Lady Wolves move into the finals for a fourth straight year and will take on fellow Region 6-AA foe Lovett in the finals on Saturday.
Experience and height played a huge role in the opening minutes as the steadier Lady Wolves forced seven Brooks County turnovers in the first four minutes while shooting a blistering 5-of-6 from the field. Brooks County did not score its first field goal until one minute left in the first quarter but by then Buford was firmly in control with a 22-3 lead.
"There is no substitute for experience and our girls came out calm, cool, and collected," Buford coach Gene Durden said. "They are used to being here and know how to handle themselves. The first few minutes really set the tone."
Buford came into game with Andraya Carter, Kristina Nelson, MacKenzie Darrah, and Kaela Davis all nursing injuries. But it didn't show as Nelson scored on three consecutive stick-backs to open the game and Darrah drained a long 3-pointer for a 14-1 lead less than four minutes into the game. Carter hit four free throws and Davis grabbed three rebounds and dished out two assists during the opening blitz.
Buford continued to pour it on in the second quarter using a 14-4 run to open the quarter before taking a 47-11 lead into halftime. The Lady Wolves would take out their starters midway through the third quarter and led 63-23 heading into the final period.
For Durden, seeing all his weapons in action at one time was a welcome sight.
"We're not completely healthy but it was the first game in a while where we have had everyone available," Durden said. "It was good to see everyone contribute."
Davis finished with 13 points, Darrah had 11, Nelson 10, Kallie Case added nine, and Bree Horrocks had eight points for Buford, which had 11 different players score.
They will need that balance when they tangle with the Lady Lions for a third time this season. They won both regular season matchups but Lovett has been playing as well as anyone in the state in the playoffs, led by legitimate Division I guard Tatianna Jackson.
"Jackson is an outstanding player and they have two more D-I players and they are a very solid team," Durden said. "They are no joke. They fought us tooth-and-nail the first two games and they are playing better now. It will take our best game to beat them again."
Lovett advanced to its first-ever championship game with a 56-41 win over Laney in the other semifinal. The Lady Lions had never advanced past the second round until this season.
Monday
February 3rd, 2025
10:58PM
